Hadassah has been speaking out for women and the people of Israel for 112 years. Weaponizing sexual violence is never acceptable. Not anywhere. Now is the time to speak out for these victims. #EndTheSilence
Warning: This page contains graphic descriptions of sexual violence.
Hamas terrorists filmed and shared videos of the countless women and girls they raped and mutilated. Their heinous acts are war crimes. We must hold Hamas accountable and show the world that we will not allow rape to be used as a weapon of war.
Add your name. Demand justice and accountability!
Petition to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres
Dear Secretary-General António Guterres,
On October 7, Hamas terrorists raped and mutilated countless women and girls in Israel, using premeditated mass sexual violence and torture as a weapon of terror.
Women were shot in their vaginas and breasts. Girls were found dead, stripped naked, genitals mutilated and covered with blood and semen.
Rape should never be sanctioned as an act of war. Not in Israel. Not in Ukraine, Ethiopia, Rwanda, or Bosnia. Not anywhere. Not again.
These heinous acts are war crimes and crimes against humanity. I am writing to ask you to help end the silence around Hamas’ use of rape as a weapon of war on October 7 and demand justice and accountability. I urge you to ensure that the United Nations conducts a thorough, independent, unbiased investigation and pursues vigorous prosecution for these war crimes.
There is a long history – millennia long – of gender-based violence in war. Most recently in Ukraine, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and now in Israel. Holding Hamas terrorists accountable for their crimes is essential. Together, we must send a clear message that weaponizing sexual violence is never acceptable. We will not allow it. Not in Ukraine. Not in Rwanda. Not in Israel. Not anywhere.
We cannot forget the survivors of sexual violence. Left untreated, the effects of these crimes can last years or even a lifetime, with many victims contemplating or even dying by suicide. For many victims of prior sexual violence, the events of October 7 have triggered post-traumatic responses.
Hadassah's Bat Ami Center for Victims of Sexual Abuse helps heal victims physically, mentally and emotionally with state-of-the-art treatment methods. Since the war began, experts from the center have advised extensively on treatment of sexual violence survivors and of returning hostages.
Thank you to our partners who are helping to End The Silence.
The facts are irrefutable, as documented by eyewitness accounts, autopsies and forensic evidence, videos and photos, as well as the following sources and others: The New York Times, Washington Post, Haaretz, Times of Israel, Los Angeles Times, BBC, Jerusalem Post, ABC News, The Guardian and National Review.
