For survivors of sexual violence, prolonged war does not begin on an empty page. It can make an earlier danger feel present again, as though the body has lost control and nowhere is truly safe.

During the war, Israel’s sexual assault crisis centers reported increased demand for support, especially through anonymous online chats. Survivors who had not sought help for years reached out again, while others described worsening post-traumatic symptoms.

For some, the war stripped away the everyday anchors that had helped them feel safe: sleeping in their own bed, controlling who enters their space, having a trusted person nearby. When partners were called up for reserve duty, some survivors lost an important source of support. Evacuation placed families in crowded temporary housing, while repeated stays in shelters meant confinement, proximity to strangers, and little control over personal space. Reports of sexual harassment in shelters further undermined the very meaning of a “protected space.”

A medical encounter often requires precisely what trauma can make difficult: entering an unfamiliar environment, removing clothing, being examined or touched, and temporarily placing one’s body in another person’s hands. Even a........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)