How does Her Academy empower women and help them exit cycles of exploitation and abuse?
Shockingly, it’s estimated that there are 16-20,000 sex workers in Israel. These are some of the most vulnerable women in the country. For those who want to exit the ‘profession’, the biggest barrier is finding employment.
Founded in 2016, Her Academy runs vocational courses in administration, finance and tech to provide these women with the skills they need to find work and break their cycle of abuse, addiction and exploitation.
Approximately 70% of participants are mothers and students including Israeli-born women, immigrants, Arab women and refugees. Graduates of Her Academy become part of the Her Academy community and receive further support with mental health, addiction and even family reunification.
Since its launch, more than 600 women have studied at Her Academy. Around 75% of graduates continue working with the employers who hire them after completion and many move into further education or stable employment. The impact extends beyond each woman – strengthening families and breaking intergenerational cycles of exploitation and vulnerability.
Every story matters
MEET TAMAR
Tamar arrived at Her Academy after years of trauma and exploitation, referred from a rehabilitation centre but carrying deep doubt that her life could ever look different. Having survived prostitution, she struggled to imagine a future defined by choice rather than survival. When she was invited to join a fashion and styling course, she initially believed it wasn’t meant for someone like her.
From her first week, however, she encountered something unfamiliar: warmth, consistency and genuine acceptance. In a classroom designed to feel safe and non-judgmental, she no longer had to hide her past or brace herself against shame. The journey was not simple – there were moments when the weight of her experiences felt overwhelming and she considered giving up. Yet the Academy’s founders stood beside her, offering steady encouragement and practical tools to help her keep going.
Graduation marked a profound turning point. Earning her diploma was a milestone she had never imagined possible. With continued mentoring, she secured employment in her new field. On her first shift, she realised she was selling shoes rather than her own body – a powerful symbol of dignity restored. Today, Tamar is building a stable future, supported in her workplace and daring to pursue further studies, guided by self-respect and renewed belief in her potential.
