Sharp Increase Seen in Reports of Domestic Abuse

Jerusalem, 17 November, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Ministry of Welfare and Social Security reported that there was a 7% increase in women’s complaints to the 118-telephone hotline for reporting domestic violence. Ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women the Ministry published updated data on such violence for 2025.

The Ministry also reported a sharp increase (245%) in applications to Aluma centers for aiding domestic violence victims, saying this indicates the success of the “innovative model that allows for immediate application, the option to maintain anonymity, and no obligation to immediately open a welfare file.”

The opening of Aluma’s third center in Rishon LeZion last year was also significant and contributed to making the service accessible to a larger population. A fourth center is expected to open in Be’er Sheva soon.

According to the Ministry’s professionals, a decrease in evacuations to shelters stemmed both from the development of community services to assist women and families in the cycle of violence and from women’s fears about leaving their homes during war and uncertainty.

The Ministry of Welfare and Social Security operates 17 shelters for women victims of violence and their children throughout the country, some of which are designated for Arab society and the religious-ultra-Orthodox society.

The 2025 data indicate a moderate increase of 2% in all calls to the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security’s 118 hotline regarding domestic violence compared to the previous year (2,144 compared to 2,100). The increase is noticeable in the areas of violence against women within a relationship (7%) and violence against children (38%).