Allegations of a horrific hotel gang-rape in Israel where 30 men reportedly waited in line to assault a teenage girl have triggered an outraged campaign echoing the global #MeToo movement.
The extreme barbarity of the reported attack in Israel's Red Sea resort of Eilat has prompted women to come forward to share their testimonies of sexual assault.
The "More Than 30" campaign urges people to show that sexual abuse is far more widespread than one outrageous case, to tell "the decision-makers that the problem of our society is not just about 30 rapists," organisers say.
"Every woman knows that there are more than 30 rapists in the country," said the Mitsad Hanashim Women's March group on its Facebook page.
It urges victims of sexual violence to list on social media the first names of their attackers, as well as their age at the time they were assaulted.
"There is data on violence against women, but it is now time to link the statistics with names," the group said, writing in both Hebrew and Arabic, Israel's second language.
- 'Crime against humanity' -
Victims of attacks provide short but shocking descriptions.
"Yonathan, when I was 17; a taxi driver at 20; or even Dad when I was five", said Ruty Klein, one of initiators of the campaign, reading out a sample of some of the brief but brutal messages.
Campaigners hope that the testimonies will show the scale and impact of sexual attacks.
"We will give this long list to the government," said 29-year-old Klein.
"We will ask it to accept the demands of women's associations to change policy in the face of violence," she added.
The alleged gang-rape earlier this month of a 16-year-old girl in the seaside town of Eilat had initially gone unnoticed.
Then on August 20, local media reported that the alleged perpetrators, said to be in their 20s, had queued outside the teenager's hotel bedroom, awaiting their turn to rape her.
The same evening, protests broke out in several Israeli cities.
Last Sunday, thousands of Israelis went on strike, holding a symbolic hour-long work stoppage to protest "the growing violence against women and girls in Israel, and lack of sufficient punishment," organisers said.
"It is shocking – there is no other word," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
"It is not only a crime against the girl, it is a crime against humanity itself that deserves all condemnation – and those responsible must be brought to justice."
In less than a week, the "More Than 30" campaign -- or "Yoter mi shloshim" in Hebrew -- has collected more than a thousand testimonials, said Klein.
"The shock of the gang-rape in Eilat reminded us that we are all together in the same boat," she said.
"From the moment you no longer feel alone, you begin to speak. Then another is added, and then another."
The list of testimonies "continues to grow", she added.
- 'Catalyst' -
The protests feed into a wider movement resulting in an "awakening of conscience" in Israel, said Ilana Weizman, who co-founded the women’s rights group HaStickeriot.
Weizman said it was inspired by "Les Colleuses", feminist campaigners in France who daubed streets with the names of the men who had attacked them, and painted slogans denouncing the "culture of rape".
For the past two months, Israeli campaigners have been posting feminist slogans on the walls of cities across the country.
"Lo ze lo (no means no)", and "at lo levad (you are not alone)", they read.
"A lot of women come and tell us that they want to write their testimony -- with the name of their rapist," Weizman said.
"That would have been unthinkable a few years ago."
But while the shock at the reports from Eilat can act as a "catalyst", Weizman warns it is important not to forget that sexual assault is taking place every day, in homes and in families, hidden from view.
According to The Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel, police estimate the number of women assaulted each year in the country at 84,000, or 230 per day.
"One in five women will be raped in her lifetime in Israel, and one in three women will be sexually assaulted," Weizman said.
"Sexual violence affects all women."
AFP RELAXNEWS
Sat Aug 29 2020
Israeli women have launched an online campaign titled, "More Than 30" encouraging those who have been attacked to speak out. AFPRelaxpic
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.