Established by the Schusterman Foundation-Israel (SFI) in 2007, the Haruv Institute is well on its way to becoming the central address for studies in the field of child abuse in Israel. Founded as a center for research, education and public policy on child abuse, Haruv serves several functions: studying and developing the most effective methods for prevention and treatment of child abuse, designing comprehensive training programs for varied caregivers and practitioners, influencing Israeli public policy and child abuse legislation, and facilitating exchanges between Israelis and their global counterparts in the field of child abuse. In Israel, there are more than 330,000 youth deemed "at risk," of abuse or neglect, and Haruv targets the roughly 70,000 children who are neglected or abused physically, mentally and sexually, including 20,000 of whom are sexually abused in schools.

 

Guided by philanthropist Lynn Schusterman's vision to assist child victims of abuse, SFI created an innovative strategy. "We decided what was needed was an institute that gives professionals the tools they need to be more effective at their jobs," says David Gappell, Director of SFI. "We saw there were many different pieces – social workers, physicians, teachers, and other professionals all in contact with abused children, but in need of greater interdisciplinary cooperation." 

 

Haruv found its calling in this unique role, dedicated to strengthening and connecting the interdisciplinary field of child abuse in Israel. As a center committed to raising standards in child abuse prevention and treatment based in Jerusalem, Haruv has spent its first year developing training programs for a diverse spectrum of caregivers and practitioners. Throughout 2007, Haruv developed and implemented a series of conferences, workshops and training programs targeting senior psychosocial staff, emergency center professionals, doctors, municipal workers and kindergarten teachers. 

 

In 2008, the Haruv Institute appointed Professor Hillel Schmid as its first director. A former Dean of the Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare at Hebrew University, Jerusalem and the leader of the Schmid Committee, a governmental commission on children at risk, Professor Schmid brings a rich combination of academic research in the field and the talents for practical and applied solutions to child abuse issues.

 

"I see my duty first of all to provide knowledge and develop Haruv not only as a provider of services and programs, but a source of new knowledge through research in the area," says Hillel. "Then we'll be able to support our programs with research findings and improve them, as well as provide the professional community with the most updated tools and data." 

 

"Professor Schmid has truly imprinted Haruv with the highest academic standards – from an emphasis in research to boosting the academic cadre of lecturers," says Paula David, project coordinator for Haruv. To support this direction, this year Haruv will build a research center that will house lending and virtual libraries, databases, books, materials, simulations, monographs, and translations of global materials not currently available in Hebrew. The research center will provide, in real time, not only solutions but scientific materials that can help the professionals dealing with the needs of children and care providers improve their performance. Professor Schmid emphasizes that the center will engage foremost in research to support Haruv's training programs, conducting a needs-analysis for professional caregivers, and also study the target population, gathering extensive information about abused children in Israel. 

 

Haruv also plans to increase its partnerships in the coming year, working to set agendas along with government ministries, among others. Having partnered with Israel's Ministries of Welfare and Health last year, Haruv will begin to work this year with the Ministries of Justice and Education as well, involving the four government ministries that address issues related to child abuse. 

 

Well into its third year, the Haruv Institute continues to build the capabilities and expertise that it has already begun to cultivate, placing it among Israel's advanced studies institutions. "By creating the knowledge and coordination, Haruv will create some synergy in tackling child abuse," says Hillel Schmid. "The main problem we observe is in the continuity of care. We want to create an integrated approach between all the related services and create a home where we can discuss the issues, elaborate and improve them."