ELEM Report: Nearly half of Israeli youth have experienced sexual violence; drug use has surged.
According to the report, which examined teenagers who sought assistance from the organization, one in two youth experienced violence. Alcohol use rose to 66%, and a dramatic increase was recorded in drug use and suicidal behavior, against a backdrop of depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. President Isaac Herzog called it "a defining test."
Written by Hadar Gil-Ad
Channel 13
July 19, 2026
ELEM, a nonprofit organization that works with at-risk youth, presented its annual report this morning (Sunday) to President Isaac Herzog. The report paints an unprecedented and deeply troubling picture of the young people the organization serves. According to the findings, Israel's complex security situation, which has intensified since October 7, has led to a significant escalation in youth distress and has blurred the line between "mainstream" youth and those considered at risk.
The report is based on meetings with approximately 15,000 youth over the past year. It found that half of them had experienced violence or sexual violence. Another alarming trend is the dramatic rise in alcohol and drug use: 66% of the youth reported using alcohol — a 21% increase compared with last year — and 45% reported using drugs. In addition, the report points to a preliminary 70% increase in reports of self-harm since the beginning of 2026.
According to the report, in 2024 "young people drew on their survival instincts," but in 2025, as the intensity of the security emergency subsided, "the trauma resurfaced and became an open fracture."
The report also includes concerning preliminary data from the beginning of 2026, showing a 70% increase in reports of self-harm and a 73% rise in levels of anger following the renewed security escalation. The report states: "Violence is no longer a marginal phenomenon — it is a reality affecting nearly every household in Israel. When a teenager feels they need to carry a knife to protect themselves, it is no longer just their problem; it is a question of the kind of society we are becoming."
President Isaac Herzog commented on the findings, emphasizing: "These troubling figures are not merely a snapshot of the situation — they are a test of Israeli society. We must not accept a reality in which violence, loneliness, and despair become part of young people's everyday lives."
Rabbi Shai Piron, chairman of ELEM, added that the findings reflect a reality that requires a broad, systemic response, as isolated interventions are no longer sufficient.