Sex offense cases increase, decrease [check one] in IDF

The number of sex offense indictments in the IDF rose from 26 in 2013 to 37 in 2014, while military police investigations into sex offenses declined from 137 to 125, according to this report in Haaretz:

Most of the indictments issued were against officers who committed acts against their subordinates. A colonel was indicted last year for sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior. According to the indictment, the officer proposed that his female subordinates have sex with him “while utilizing his authority over them as their direct commander.” 

Recent incidents that took place among Givati Brigade soldiers gave rise to questions about how sexual harassment is handled in the IDF. When six brigade soldiers came forward and complained that their platoon commander had sexually harassed them, the brigade command, as well as GOC Southern Command officials, did not report the incident to the Military Police or the IDF Prosecutor. They chose to reassign the commander after a disciplinary, but not criminal, hearing. Only after the incident leaked to the media was a criminal investigation launched.

Thirty-five percent of the 2014 indictments were for invasion of privacy. There were three rape indictments.

Under Israel's 1955 Military Justice Law, the decision to prosecute is made by the Military Advocate General (MAG) Prosecutorial Division rather than by commanders. Click here for the MAG's Criminal Proceedings in the Military Courts web page.