The “Victim Witness Assistance Program" established in 1996, was initiated in a number of different districts in Israel in response to the urgent need of guidance Palestinian communities.

The program, which has been implemented in the northern districts of Haifa and Nazareth, was created in order to assist assaulted women in the pre-trial and trial phase, to guide them through the entire judicial process and to give them professional and emotional support.

WAV has continued with the program since its beginnings, and sees in it as a vital service, as well as a basis for a number of substantial changes the organization hopes to see in the field.

The project also ensures that victims going through the judicial process understand the existing laws that protect their rights, from the initial filing against their assaulter at the police station through the actual trial. As the laws pertaining to victims’ rights in Israel are constantly in flux, it is all the more important for victims prosecuting sexual crimes to have an escort capable of explaining the most recent legal developments. In addition, the program advocates on the victim’s behalf, insisting that the police forces and the judicial system empathize with the victim.

Referrals to the project are made through the country’s crisis centers, all of whom have connection to the organization through the Union of Rape Crisis Centers. Referrals are also directed by the Crisis Center run by WAV and from the police stations that were informed about this program either by way of the organization's members or our advertisements.

The Victim Witness Assistance Program is be run by two staff members as coordinators, Linda Khwaled and Reem Jabali. Linda Khwaled coordinates the various training courses for lawyers and police officers, in addition to maintaining a strong communication between the organization and medical professionals.

Reem Jabali accompanies the victims to courts, lawyer visits, or police visits, and provides social and moral support to the victim. Since the victims usually need psychology therapist due to the trauma occurred by the abuse and by the judicial process itself, WAV arranges four psychology sessions to the victims going through the judicial process through this program. These sessions are given by the psychologists who work closely with WAV.