Community Support and Safety Teams

How Does Sexual Violence Impact a Community?

When sexual violence occurs within a community, it disrupts the community’s sense of safety and belonging. If the perpetrator is a community member, it can create divisions and tensions among those involved.

Sexual Assault Crisis Centers offer community support and intervention processes in response to sexual violence. These processes focus on providing the best possible support for survivors, while also offering emotional and practical guidance for the broader community.

Given that approximately 90% of sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the survivor, communities have a responsibility to take proactive steps in prevention and response. One effective approach is the formation of Community Safety Teams dedicated to:

• Preventing sexual violence and raising awareness
• Providing a point of contact for reporting incidents
• Offering initial emotional support and guidance

Many communities, including kibbutzim, moshavim, educational institutions, and informal youth organizations, have already adopted this model. The Kibbutz Movement has even issued a general recommendation encouraging the formation of safety teams in all communities.

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How Can a Community Respond to a Case of Sexual Violence?

Sexual Assault Crisis Centers provide community intervention and support in response to sexual violence.

The process includes:

• Assessing the community’s needs—with a strong focus on the survivor’s needs
• Identifying necessary therapeutic and individual support for the survivor
• Helping the survivor regain a sense of security within the community
• Deciding what information should be shared with community members
• Considering community-based responses, such as sanctions against the perpetrator
• Addressing community concerns and questions
• Facilitating group discussions to process the emotional impact of the incident

If the community already has an established Safety Team, the first step is to clarify the team’s authority and responsibilities. If the team is trained and authorized to handle reports of sexual violence, it is crucial to respond with sensitivity, confidentiality, and in alignment with the survivor’s wishes. Crisis Centers can offer additional guidance and support in managing these cases.

If the team is not authorized to receive reports, members should still respond with empathy and discretion, and refer survivors to a Sexual Assault Crisis Center for professional support and guidance. Regardless of the circumstances, it is essential to:

• Offer a supportive and non-judgmental response
• Avoid statements that may be perceived as blaming or dismissive
• Ensure confidentiality
• Respect the survivor’s autonomy in making decisions

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Why Is Community-Based Safety Important?

Sexual violence affects not only survivors but also their entire community, making prevention and response a collective responsibility.

While it may be difficult to acknowledge, sexual violence committed by a known individual is a real possibility in any community. Taking proactive steps to promote safety and accountability reflects the community’s values and responsibilities.

Community-based safety efforts can:

• Significantly reduce the likelihood of sexual violence occurring
• Minimize the long-term harm to survivors and the broader community
• Ensure appropriate and effective support for survivors
• Strengthen members’ sense of security and belonging

One way to achieve this is through the establishment of a Community Safety Team, which can lead prevention initiatives, provide guidance to survivors, and facilitate appropriate responses to sexual violence.

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How Can a Community Prevent Sexual Violence?

Prevention starts with taking action. One of the most effective steps a community can take is forming a Community Safety Team with a clearly defined role and mandate.

A key principle in prevention is consistent and open dialogue about sexual violence, which helps establish positive behavioral norms and reduces the secrecy, silence, and shame that often allow violence to continue.

Research and experience show that effective prevention must also include promoting healthy sexuality, as shame and a lack of language around sexuality create conditions in which sexual violence can occur and remain unaddressed.

Sexual Assault Crisis Centers offer specialized training for Safety Teams, equipping them with the tools to lead prevention efforts. Additionally, they provide workshops for community members, tailored to the unique needs and structure of each community.

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How to Establish a Community Safety Team

Steps to forming a Safety Team:

1. Gather a group of community members who recognize the importance of proactively addressing and preventing sexual violence.
2. Define the team’s role and obtain official recognition from the community.

3. Decide on the scope of the team’s responsibilities:

   • Will it focus only on prevention and awareness while referring cases to external professionals?
   • Or will it also receive reports, provide initial support, and facilitate community-based responses?
4. Undergo specialized training to develop the necessary skills for handling disclosures and implementing prevention strategies.
5. Hold regular team meetings for continued learning, discussing case studies, setting goals, and refining action plans.
6. Publicize the team’s role and organize community events to raise awareness of sexual violence prevention.

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Mandatory Reporting and Legal Considerations

Sexual violence involving minors or vulnerable individuals may require mandatory reporting to authorities.

For legal consultation regarding mandatory reporting laws and best practices for handling cases involving minors, communities can seek guidance from the Sexual Assault Crisis Centers or The National Council for the Children.

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What Does Safety Team Training Include?

Sexual Assault Crisis Centers across Israel provide specialized training for Community Safety Teams.

Because each community is unique, trainings are customized to fit the specific needs and structure of the community. Training sessions cover:

• Understanding sexual violence and its various forms
• Different approaches to processing trauma
• The legal aspects of sexual violence (criminal and civil procedures)
• Recognizing signs of sexual violence and identifying survivors in need of support
• Prevention strategies and awareness campaigns
• Mapping local support and treatment resources
• Best practices for handling disclosures and community responses

A well-trained Safety Team can:

Identify and address cases of sexual violence within the community

Prevent further harm to survivors

Minimize the risk of secondary trauma for team members

Encourage creative and effective solutions by learning from other teams’ experiences

Investing in community-based safety fosters a culture of prevention, support, and accountability—ensuring that every member of the community feels safe, valued, and protected.