Israeli released captive: I felt safer in Hamas captivity than in Israel

Mia Schem, 23, was released as part of a prisoner swap deal in November 2023.

Earlier this month, Schem identified herself as the plaintiff in a previously reported rape case against a famous personal trainer in Tel Aviv, who is a prominent figure on social media and has several celebrity clients, including a former prime minister.

According to the paper, Schem alleged that the rape took place in her home, using a date rape drug, and that she does not remember many of the details.

Israeli media outlets reported that the suspect in Schem’s case had lied in a polygraph test, yet he was released from custody due to lack of evidence.

According to official reports, while thousands of sexual harassment and assault cases are reported each year, almost nine out of ten rape cases are closed without charges.

A report by the Association of Rape Crisis Centers, Israel Police opened 6,405 investigations into rape cases in 2023, however, 81 per cent of them were closed without an indictment while charges were filed in only 16 per cent of cases. Two per cent of the remaining cases ended in a conditional settlement.