Bat Melech – Israel
One in seven women in Israel suffers from domestic abuse and violence. The Orthodox community is not immune to this problem, in fact the numbers are equal to those in the general population. Sadly most Israeli Orthodox women are not encouraged to access social care services in fear of being shamed matched with community distrust for the irreligious authorities.
Bat Melech is a charity founded in the mid 1990s to support Orthodox women living in physical, sexual, emotional and financially abusive marriages, which can often be life-threatening too. They offer shelter, emotional and legal support and a secure safe haven in one of their shelters.
Bat Melech has a unique position in the ultra-orthodox community, operating several shelters that serve hundreds of women and their children every year. They work in partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Welfare.
The Wohl Legacy is a core funder of Bat Melech’s latest safe housing programme. Two independent living apartments have been thoughtfully decorated and furnished, with everything a mother would need, for her and her teenage children to feel safe and secure and start to build a life, leading to a future free from abuse.
Designed for mothers eager to keep their family unit together, these safe spaces enable the whole family to live together, including boys over the age of 12, who are not allowed to reside in the main shelter. This addresses the impossible situation some women face, forcing them to choose between leaving their abusive partner or maintaining the family unit. This innovative programme is proving to be incredibly impactful for both the mothers and their teens.
The new apartments are located near the main Bat Melech shelter, so the families can continue to receive emotional, financial and practical support, vocational training and schooling, helping them rebuild their lives in a homely protective setting.
