According to a recent study conducted by Dr. Abigail Moore, head of Women’s Studies at the Academic College in Tel-Hai, 75 percent of women in Israel fall victim to sexual assault on the part of an acquaintance such as a neighbor, friend, or partner.
The study also showed that about 33 percent of women in Israel are sexually assaulted – about 20 percent of which are raped, and the remainder assaulted in some other way.
The study was conducted amongst 200 women between the ages 15-50, and tested the frequency of sexual assault in Israel, and the characteristics of the victims. “The findings paint an alarming picture,” Moore said, “Reported cases are just the tip of the iceberg in comparison to the actual extent of the phenomenon.”
“The study proves yet again that a woman is sexually attacked for being a woman, and it is not related to characteristics such as clothing style, behavior, or any other common profile,” she explained.
'Women do not invite rape'
The percentage of women who considered themselves provocative dressers - amongst both assault victims and non-victims - was nearly identical, ranging from between 60-64 percent of victims, and 65 percent of non-victims.
The data also showed that there was no connection between self confidence and sexual assault.
“The present study completely contradicts any charge that revealing clothing could lead to rape of sexual harassment,” Moore said.
“That is to say, contrary to common accusations that women bring sexual violence on themselves with their revealing ‘provocative’ clothing, the findings show that women do not invite rape or sexual harassment by their clothing style or behavior,” she concluded.
Other data from the study showed that around 61 percent of women in Israel reported being inappropriately sexually touched against their will, and a staggering 92 percent reported experience verbal sexual harassment.
According to Moore, the study’s findings documented a high occurrence rate of rape and sexual assault similar to rates in other western countries.