‘People think you just snap out of it’: Women describe rebuilding life after abuse

A WIZO conference in Tel Aviv ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women featured three survivors describing rebuilding life after abuse through the Tzomchot Yachad program. Speakers addressed loneliness, community support, workplace recognition of abuse, and the need for government policy. A survey cited found 81% reject domestic violence as a private matter.

A WIZO conference in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25, featured survivors describing the long process of rebuilding life after abuse. Three women who participated in WIZO's Tzomchot Yachad program spoke about the loneliness after leaving shelters, the need for community, and the time it takes for children to heal. One mother of three said, "People think you just snap out of it, and that's not true." The program provides weekly meetings, volunteer support, help accessing rights and services, employment assistance, and parenting support across 12 communities in Israel, supporting approximately 200 women and 300 children. Dr. Shlomit Kaminka discussed training human resources professionals to recognize signs of abuse in the workplace. Yasmin Rubin-Cooper emphasized that men must be part of prevention. World WIZO CEO Marsel Asulin called for government response with clear policies, targets, and budgets. A survey commissioned by WIZO found that 81% of respondents rejected the idea that domestic violence is a private matter, and half believed domestic violence has increased since October 7.