Lunch Briefing—Sexual Violence as a Weapon of War and Lessons in PTSD in War

Several reports, including groundbreaking work by Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy of Israel’s Civil Commission on October 7 Crimes by Hamas Against Women and Children, have documented the extensive use of sexual and gender-based violence by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attacks. Emerging forensic and testimonial evidence shows a clear pattern of rape and mutilation against Israeli women and children across multiple locations. Yet Hamas continues to deny these allegations, and there has been a wider trend of silencing, downplaying, or dismissing the magnitude of sexual and gender-based abuses. What efforts are underway to collect testimony and document evidence of these crimes? What are the legal mechanisms for holding perpetrators to account? What steps can Israel and the international community take to address the psychological wounds of sexual trauma? Speakers: Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy and Professor Diane Orentlicher, Moderator: Professor Claire Finkelstein