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Goal: Increase detection and enforcement to deter sex trafficking in Israel.
There is a dire need to deter sex trafficking which is flourishing as a result of war: The massacre perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th fractured the sense of basic physical, emotional, and financial safety for many Israelis, and pushed those already vulnerable into deeper distress. Ukrainian, Russian and Ethiopian women, already struggling to recover from war in their home countries, found themselves once again displaced. Palestinian women in Israel, some already victims of trafficking, found themselves stranded in with no safe haven. As unmet needs of people without permanent status increases, it is easier for traffickers to more readily exploit them. If we do not act to deter sex trafficking at this stage, it will surge to become an even larger problem.
Every city in Israel contains a municipal ecosystem of professionals in different sectors (healthcare, police, municipal enforcement, aid organizations) who each play a role in addressing sex trafficking. This pilot program will assess whether simultaneously training city-wide professionals — with a focus on building relationships and improving collaboration — will increase measurable results in combatting sex trafficking. Three cities will be piloted over two years: Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beer Sheva.
Addressing this crisis at the city-wide level, and elevating the collective abilities of diverse professionals who act together in the same geography to deter sex trafficking, is an approach with promise; prior TFHT experience indicates that stronger relationships, greater interaction, and collaboration among these players can yield better results combatting sex trafficking.
Goal: Keep prostitution illegal in Israel, by ensuring the temporary “Law Prohibiting the Consumption of Prostitution” becomes permanent in the July 2025 Knesset vote.
The atrocities of October 7th have exposed all of Israeli society to the horrors of unimaginable sexual violence. Now is the time to say that sexual exploitation and abuse of any kind, against any woman in Israel, is never to be tolerated. Passing the Law Against the Consumption of Prostitution is the cornerstone of that assertion, and must enter the cannon of the Laws of the State of Israel because:
Where consumption of prostitution is legal, demand increases, as does the number of trafficked women. There is clear data to support this. For example, Germany legalized prostitution in 2002, and by 2011, the German Government reported a 70% increase in the number of trafficking victims, despite efforts to regulate the industry.
72% of Israelis support the Law, and oppose the consumption of prostitution. Through efforts of TFHT and others, Israelis increasingly understand the harsh realities of prostitution, and therefore reject it. We must represent the voice of this majority, and fight back against lack of enforcement by Interior Security Minister Ben-Gvir.
Laws based on the Nordic Model, such as Israel’s, criminalize the purchase of sex and place the onus on pimps and traffickers. Such Laws have proven to protect vulnerable women. For example, Sweden saw a 50% reduction in street prostitution after the law was implemented in 1999, and reported that sex trafficking declined as a result of reduced demand for paid sex.
The Law enables victims the opportunity to heal and rebuild their lives, by mandating funding for rehabilitation. If the Law passes, State funding for NGO’s providing crucial services to prostituted and sex trafficked populations will be preserved, comprising 30% of some of their budgets.
Goal: Survivors of trafficking and prostitution in Israel will have access to the rehabilitative services they need.
The Coalition Against Prostitution was created and is facilitated by TFHT. It consists of 20 Israel governmental as well as independent NGOs focused on aiding and advocating on behalf of victims of human trafficking and prostitution. Members meet monthly, convene for crisis mitigation, and are in constant contact addressing issues jointly. The Coalition operates in the following realms:
Legislation:
To proscribe the purchase of sex and call for comprehensive rehabilitation of the trafficked/prostituted person.
Direct service:
To promote and provide expanded treatment and rehabilitation services, including humanitarian aid, vocational and professional training, and access to social work and other services to victims of trafficking and prostitution.
Education:
To change public perceptions of and raise awareness about prostitution and its connection to trafficking.
We convene monthly meetings of the Coalition and identify priority issues for joint action. For example, one such action is to draft and promote a proper response to the need for additional drug addiction services for women in prostitution. We will strengthen the new models we have developed to aid victims of trafficking and prostitution, including rights to: Declare personal bankruptcy and have debts absolved or reduced; receive National Insurance Institute disability payments which enable rehabilitation; be treated with leniency at banks, enabling survivors to deposit cash and clear debts.
The Coalition is essential not only for coordinating services and avoiding duplication of efforts, but for being one, powerful voice, demanding justice for those lacking a voice to speak for themselves.
Through our extensive familiarity with rehabilitative services currently available, we have identified a crucial gap – making higher education accessible for survivors of prostitution. TFHT contends that prevailing misconceptions regarding the academic potential of many women caught in the cycle of prostitution result in job training and employment alternatives well below the potential of many, such as supermarket check-out, sewing or arranging flowers. Furthermore, such low-paid jobs are insufficient to sustain most women and their children resulting in their re-entry to the cycle. This pilot program seeks to demonstrate that by offering women in prostitution the opportunity to fulfill their highest ambitions, with the close mentorship of other women who have transformed their lives through education, they will be able to exit the cycle of violence permanently, and become self-sufficient members of society. It is not enough these women survive, they can and deserve to thrive.
This program is underway to great success: In 2025, there are 2 survivors pursuing Master’s degrees, 10 pursing a BA, and 9 pursuing professional training. The initiative is rooted in the understanding that exiting prostitution is not always a “linear” process, and times of crisis may result in episodes of return to what is abusive and destructive, but familiar. As such, we will continue to provide mentoring, guidance, and relevant training as needed, on a highly personalized basis, not only during studies, but at the beginning of their professional careers. Participants have been recruited with the understanding that they will seek to inspire other survivors to reach for their highest potential.
Women incarcerated for offenses related to prostitution often face a multitude of intersecting challenges:
Trauma and Mental Health: Many have experienced severe trauma, including sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, leading to mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. This trauma is often a root cause of their involvement in prostitution.
Economic Vulnerability: Poverty, lack of education, and limited employment opportunities often contribute to their entry into prostitution and make it difficult to leave.
Social Isolation and Stigma: These women often face social ostracization and stigma, further hindering their reintegration into society and increasing their risk of re-offending.
Lack of Access to Resources: Within the prison system, there is often a lack of specialized programs and support services that address the unique needs of women who have experienced prostitution. This leaves them ill-equipped to cope with their trauma and build a sustainable future upon release.
By addressing the complex and interconnected needs of women involved in prostitution, Project Neve Tirza aims to break the cycle of exploitation, empower them to rebuild their lives, and create a more just and compassionate society.
Project Neve Tirza takes a holistic, trauma-informed, and empowerment-based approach to rehabilitation. Our strategy encompasses the following key elements:
Trauma-Informed Care:
Recognizing the profound impact of trauma, we provide therapeutic interventions designed to address the root causes of their involvement in prostitution and help them heal from past experiences. This includes individual and group therapy, as well as specialized treatment for PTSD and other mental health conditions.
Economic Empowerment: We provide vocational training, educational opportunities, and assistance with job placement to equip women with the skills and resources necessary to achieve financial independence.
Rights Advocacy and Legal Support:
We assist women in understanding and exercising their rights, including access to social services, legal aid, and other entitlements. We also work to address systemic issues that contribute to their vulnerability.
Social Rehabilitation and Reintegration:
We facilitate social reintegration by providing support with housing, building social networks, and addressing issues of stigma and discrimination. We also work to connect them with community resources and support groups.
Personalized Case Management:
Each woman receives individualized support tailored to her specific needs and goals. A dedicated case manager works closely with her throughout her journey, providing guidance, advocacy, and emotional support.
Collaboration and Partnerships:
We collaborate with other organizations, government agencies, and community stakeholders to create a comprehensive network of support for these women.
Misconceptions about Prostitution: A significant portion of the public views prostitution as a consensual exchange between adults, failing to recognize the systemic exploitation, coercion, and violence often involved. This misunderstanding hinders efforts to address the root causes of prostitution and support those affected by it.
Normalization of Exploitation:
The sex industry actively promotes the idea that prostitution is a normal and acceptable form of work, contributing to the normalization of sexual exploitation and the objectification of women. This normalization perpetuates harmful gender stereotypes and fuels demand.
Lack of Awareness of the Harms:
Many people are unaware of the severe physical, psychological, and social harms associated with prostitution, including trauma, PTSD, substance abuse, and social isolation. This lack of awareness limits public support for policies and initiatives that address the issue.
Need for Prevention and Demand Reduction:
Focusing solely on rescuing and rehabilitating victims is insufficient. To truly combat prostitution, it is crucial to address the root cause: the demand for paid sex. By reducing demand, we can prevent future exploitation and trafficking.
Public Awareness Campaigns:
We develop and execute impactful public awareness campaigns across various media platforms, including social media, traditional media (print, radio, TV), and online advertising. These campaigns aim to challenge common misconceptions about prostitution, expose its harms, and promote alternative perspectives.
Social Media Engagement:
We utilize social media platforms to reach a wide audience, particularly younger generations. We create engaging content, including videos, infographics, and personal stories, to spark conversations and challenge harmful narratives. We also collaborate with influencers to amplify our message and reach new audiences.
Media Outreach and Advocacy:
We actively engage with journalists and media outlets to ensure accurate and responsible reporting on prostitution and related issues. We provide expert commentary, data, and personal stories to shape public discourse.
“Awareness Day on the Harms of Prostitution” (July 24th):
We organize and promote annual events and activities around this important date to raise public awareness and commemorate the victims of prostitution.
Targeted Messaging to Men:
A key focus of our strategy is to develop targeted messaging specifically for men, challenging harmful notions of masculinity, promoting healthy sexuality, and encouraging them to reject the demand for prostitution.
Collaboration and Partnerships:
We collaborate with other organizations, government agencies, and community stakeholders to maximize our impact and create a broader movement for change.
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