"At 16 I was sold into prostitution": Yana recognized as a trafficking victim - but does not receive compensation
Yana Tabakin, who spent 12 years in the world of prostitution, was recognized in August 2025 as a victim of human trafficking, but is not receiving compensation from the forfeiture fund due to a shortage of money in the coffers. The fund is fed only by trafficking and slavery offenses, not by prostitution offenses. A government bill to amend the situation has not been advanced. Yana documented her story on the program "BaHatzi HaYom" on Kan News.
Yana Tabakin, a single mother of a son, spent 12 years in the world of prostitution, moving between dozens of discreet apartments and spa clubs. In August 2025 she was recognized by the Unit for the Coordination of the Fight against Human Trafficking in the Ministry of Justice as a victim of human trafficking offenses, as reported on the program "BaHatzi HaYom" on Kan News. Yana experienced violence and sexual violence from her family members as a child. At 16 she was blackmailed by a taxi driver who led her and her friend to a pimp who forced them to provide sexual services. Earlier this year she led the exposure of a brothel in Bnei Brak operated by Einat Harel, suspected of bringing a person to prostitution. Yana provided evidence to the police that led to the closing of the place, but no indictment has yet been filed. Despite being recognized as a trafficking victim, Yana is not receiving compensation funds from the forfeiture fund designated for trafficking victims, because there is not enough money in the coffers. The fund is fed by property forfeiture of criminals in trafficking and slavery offenses only, and not from prostitution offenses. A government bill to amend the situation has not been advanced by the current government. Yana told of the rape she experienced from age 6 to 12, and of how the National Insurance Institute laughed at her when she told them. According to her, rehabilitation policy is an ongoing failure toward prostitution survivors. MK Meirav Cohen criticized the state's deficient treatment of trafficking victims.