Mother Reveals Ongoing Abuse Against Her 12-Year-Old Autistic Son Amid Viral Video
Noa Zeitoun shared the ongoing abuse her 12-year-old son, Shoval, who is on the autism spectrum, has been enduring after a violent incident involving him was captured in a viral social media video. She emphasized that this was not an isolated event but repeated bullying by various groups of children, often several against one. Despite the severe violence, Shoval does not comprehend the hostility directed at him and still considers the aggressors his friends, highlighting a tragic disconnect between his perception and reality.
Zeitoun described the heartbreaking situation in an interview on the program "HaOlam HaBoker," explaining that her son’s lack of understanding serves as a painful protective mechanism. She expressed a grave concern that if Shoval fully grasped the abuse, it could have had fatal consequences. This paradox, where his autism both exposes him to harm and shields him from its full emotional impact, underscores the complexity of their ordeal.
While the story centers on Shoval’s autism, Zeitoun broadened her message to call for an end to all forms of bullying against any child, regardless of their condition. She urged society to recognize the harm caused by group violence and to foster greater awareness and empathy. "Even if he were a typical child, no group of children should gang up on one," she stated, turning her personal pain into a wider plea for social change.