Nearly two-thirds of the women who contact Jewish Women’s Aid for support after experiencing sexual violence are aged 26 to 35 and 28 per cent are 16 to 25, says the charity
April 16, 2025 12:43
A rising number of young Jewish women reporting sexual violence to Jewish Women’s Aid (JWA) has prompted the charity to call for more community engagement to combat the problem.
Released to mark Sexual Assault Awareness Month, new figures from the UK charity show that 61.5 per cent of JWA’s clients who have experienced sexual violence are aged 26 to 35, while 28 per cent are aged 16 to 25.
A quarter of those supported by JWA, which provides assistance to more than 800 women and girls affected by domestic abuse each year, have experienced both domestic abuse and sexual violence.
The latest statistics follow JWA’s recent report of a 65 per cent increase in sexual violence cases compared to the previous year. The rise reflects more referrals from medical staff, frontline workers and community professionals.
As a result, JWA is urging more schools, synagogues and professionals to engage in education, training and awareness.
JWA’s chief executive Sam Clifford said: “These figures are deeply concerning and highlight the urgent need for education around consent, coercion and abusive behaviours in our community.
“The significant increase in cases, particularly among younger Jewish women, underscores the critical need for early intervention and community-wide awareness.
“Our independent sexual violence advocate (ISVA) service is a lifeline for survivors, ensuring they are not alone as they navigate the system and begin to recover. We invite the entire community to partner with us and take a stand against sexual violence. Education and open conversations are key to prevention, and together we must challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours that allow abuse to persist.”
The charity’s ISVA provides victims with specialist counselling, guidance on their legal rights and practical advocacy. JWA advocates accompany clients to rape crisis centres, sexual health clinics, police interviews, and, if the client chooses to pursue legal action, court proceedings.
Currently, 15 women and girls affected by sexual violence are being supported by JWA as they go through the criminal justice system.
Noa*, a JWA client who came to JWA after she was raped, said the service has been “instrumental” in helping her to communicate with the police.
“I had shut down and not managed any of the communications with the police following my rape. The support I received from JWA provided me with a safety net. The knowledge that I was provided with has been instrumental in helping me go through this process.”
Another client who was sexually assaulted on public transport called JWA for support, and her attacker was later found guilty under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Maya* said: “In the beginning, the communication with police was poor. I found it difficult to talk about what happened, so it meant that my ISVA handled everything on my behalf.
“I don’t know how I would have gone through the court system on my own. Without that support, the whole process would have been incredibly stressful and overwhelming. I am so grateful to JWA for being by my side during a very difficult time in my life.”
JWA works across the community, including in schools and universities, to help prevent sexual violence by highlighting issues around misogynistic language and social media and to promote healthy relationships and consent.
The charity also educates young people on the warning signs around dating apps.
In the UK, one in five women experience sexual assault, and domestic violence accounts for 18 per cent of all violent crime. Jewish women are equally affected, but while, on average, women endure abuse for four years before seeking help, it is nearly ten years for Jewish women.
*Names have been changed
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