Some 700 children who have fallen prey to sexual abuse have received initial compensation from the state to the tune of 10,000 shekels ($2,865), the Knesset's Committee on the Rights of the Child stated Monday. Dr. Yitzhak Kadman, executive director of the National Council for the Child, urged the committee to increase the restitution to NIS 20,000 ($5,727) and extend the compensation offered by the state to include minors who suffered other forms of abuse [LINK 'abuse': http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=13267]. According to the information presented by the committee, 702 minors involved in 528 sexual abuse cases were awarded monetary compensation and 486 of them have already received restitution from the state. Kadman praised the Knesset and the government's cooperation with his organization on passing legislation that helps hundreds of underage abuse victims to rehabilitate their lives. He noted that the legislator still had to address various issues, such the appointment of special guardians to cases in which children were abused by one or both parents. Committee Chairwoman MK Orly Levy-Abekasis (Likud-Beytenu), who promoted the restitution legislation, said she would pursue amendments that would see the law apply to adults who had suffered abuse as children, as well. "We were more than willing to assume responsibility for ensuring that minors who were victims of abuse receive the compensation they deserve. This is a goal we are all dedicated to," said David Madyoni of the Enforcement and Collection Authority, a Justice Ministry subdivision. Also on Monday, the Knesset voted to amend the National Insurance Law, by which the state would fund services for at-risk children and youth to the tune of NIS 20 million ($5.7 million) a year. The amendment, which garnered a majority vote of 67 MKs, will see the current budget appropriated for such services increase by NIS 5 million ($1.43 million).
State compensates 700 children who suffered sexual abuse
Government takes further steps to offer victims rehabilitation services, increases aid budget to NIS 20 million • National Council for the Child director lauds Knesset, government's work, urging both to address unresolved legal issues.
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