Half of Sexual Abuse Cases Against Minors Occur Within Families, Israeli NGO Reports

A 2025 report by the Israeli NGO "A Home for Every Child" reveals that 50% of sexual abuse cases involving minors occurred within the family, with an additional 35% committed by someone known to the child outside the family. Only 10% of the abuse cases were perpetrated by strangers. The data, based on cases treated by the NGO's centers, highlights that most abuse took place in familiar environments such as the victim's home or that of relatives or acquaintances.

The report states that 67% of the victims were girls and 33% boys, with an average age of 13 years; the youngest victim was three years old. Among the abused minors, 56% were aged 13 to 18, 36% were between 7 and 12, and 4% were between 3 and 6. The most common form of abuse was inappropriate touching under clothing, accounting for 36% of cases.

Within family-related abuse cases, siblings were the most frequent perpetrators, responsible for about 25% of incidents, followed by cousins (8%), uncles or aunts (5%), and fathers (5%). Other family members such as grandparents, stepparents, and in-laws accounted for smaller percentages. Abuse against girls was more likely to occur within the family (56%) compared to outside (41%), whereas boys experienced more abuse outside the family (59%) than within (44%).

The vast majority of perpetrators were male (94%), with females accounting for 6%. About 26% of victims experienced a single incident, while half suffered repeated abuse. Besides homes, 15% of abuse cases occurred in educational, religious, medical, or therapeutic settings, and 11% in public spaces. Abuse in recreational venues and via social media was less common.

"A Home for Every Child" operates seven "Meital Centers" funded and supervised by the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security, providing treatment for sexually abused minors and those exhibiting harmful sexual behavior. The centers serve children and families in various communities across Israel.