Judge Dorit Beinisch, President of Israel's Supreme Court, keynoted the convention marking the first anniversary of the Hadassah Medical Organization’s Bat-Ami Center for sexual assault victims. “It's impossible not to be overwhelmed by the mission you took upon yourselves,” said Judge Beinisch, praising the initiative and the professionals who support the victims.
We have all come a long way, Justice Beinisch said. In the past it was very hard to create social processes that affected their legal status. Today there's a meaningful change in the law, a change was not imposed from above. Rather, it is the result of a long struggle and the efforts of with many people and many groups, she said.
Dr. Sagit Arbel Alon, Head of Hadassah’s Bat Ami Center noted that one out of every four women experiences sexual assault, one out of every four four girls and one of every six boys. Dr. Arbel Alon thanked the dozens of experts from different fields who participated in the convention, her Bat Ami colleagues – social worker Dorit Greenspan, Nurse Tamar Segal – and all the members of the staff.
Dr. Yuval Weiss, Director of the Hadassah University Hospital-Ein Kerem, stressed the importance of the Center. He pointed out that community outreach and women’s health issues are an essential part of Hadassah’s mission and are vital components of providing excellent patient care, teaching and medical research.
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