The recent powerful civil court ruling awarding NIS 500,000 (approximately $139,000) in damages to a young woman who was sexually assaulted while intoxicated and unable to give informed consent is not just about money, it’s about recognition.

In 2018, this woman entered a restroom with her cousin during a family event, while she was heavily intoxicated, drugged, and disoriented. She was later found unconscious, partially undressed, and frothing at the mouth. In a landmark decision, the court believed her account: that she never would have willingly engaged in sexual activity, certainly not with her older cousin, and that she was in no condition to consent.

Although the State Attorney’s Office closed the criminal case, twice, the civil court recognized the harm, held the man accountable, and validated the survivor’s truth. This ruling sends a clear and resounding message: when the criminal system fails, the path to justice is not closed.

Being a survivor of sexual violence is not a moment – it’s a lifelong impact.

The trauma........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)