Eliran’s Story
- nitzan71
- Apr 30, 2015
- 1 min read
Eliran arrived at the ELEM center dressed in his gas station uniform, sat down and gulped down half a bottle of wine. It was 5:00 pm. He had just lost his temp job at the gas station. He felt panicked and like a loser, and he desperately needed someone to talk with. He knew he could find it at the center.
Eliran was sexually abused as a child by his stepfather from ages 7-10. When he misbehaved or even did nothing, Eliran’s stepfather would punish him by sexually and physically abusing him. Eliran would be sitting in his room working on his computer, and his dad would storm in and violently throw him on the floor. It is to no surprise that Eliran turned to drugs at a young age to escape his reality and constant abuse. Eliran felt alone, unloved, and extremely depressed.
For Eliran, ELEM became family. He goes to the center three times a week to talk to the ELEM counselors and volunteers who truly care about his well-being. At ELEM, Eliran and many other youth and young adults receive compassion and care, something they received little of from their parents.
To mark National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, we wanted to highlight Eliran’s story to give you a greater understanding of the child abuse that exists in Israel. Eliran’s story is part of our Motivational Monday’s series where we’ll share a personal story of an Israeli youth who has overcome extraordinary challenges.
Here is a typical meeting at an ELEM: Coffee and Small Talk Center in Israel

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