Psychologist Yuval Carmi indicted for sexual misconduct, not rape

Attorney Roni Sdovnik: "This is a Yom Kippur-level national day of grief for all victims of patient-caregiver crimes."

Yuval Carmi, a psychologist suspected of committing sexual offenses on at least one of his patients is brought in for a court hearing at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on January 28, 2021.  (photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH 90)
Yuval Carmi, a psychologist suspected of committing sexual offenses on at least one of his patients is brought in for a court hearing at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on January 28, 2021.
(photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH 90)

An indictment was filed against psychologist Yuval Carmi by the Jerusalem District Court prosecution for "sexual relations" with two of his patients, Israeli media reported, but will not be charged for acts of rape or assault.

"This is a Yom Kippur-level national day of grief for all victims of patient-caregiver crimes," said attorney Roni Sdovnik, who represents three other patients of Carmi who were allegedly harassed by him.

Sdovnik called for lawmakers to amend the law that requires the victims to prove that there had been an abuse of a relationship of authority "when, in regards to patients and caregivers in all medical and para-medical fields, there is an inherent opportunity for sexual abuse," he said. 

One of the victims took to Facebook to voice her disappointment with the indictment.

"I was raped," she wrote. "There were no sexual relations here. There were sexual acts committed by rape, involuntarily, not with free and informed consent."

However, Carmi's lawyer has said otherwise.

"This is the right decision," attorney Tami Ullman said, Walla reported.

"The prosecution was convinced during the hearings that there was no justification for accusing my client of rape."

Police had asked to make Carmi's name and face public following his initial arrest in order to urge more victims to come forward, which is what happened. 

In February, activists from Lotem, an organization that seeks to fight "gender-based terror," and from the activist group "Breaking Walls," hung posters with Carmi's face in the Jerusalem neighborhood where he lives.


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"It is time that his harmful actions come out and are not hidden," said the activists. "The suspect should be ashamed, not the victims. We are doing a public service."

Activists from Lotem, an organization that seeks to fight 'gender-based terror,' and from activist group ''Breaking Walls'' hung posters with the face of Yuval Karmi, a psychologist accused of sexually assaulting his patients, in the Jerusalem neighborhood where he lives. (credit: Courtesy)
Activists from Lotem, an organization that seeks to fight 'gender-based terror,' and from activist group ''Breaking Walls'' hung posters with the face of Yuval Karmi, a psychologist accused of sexually assaulting his patients, in the Jerusalem neighborhood where he lives. (credit: Courtesy)

"There is nothing worse than a therapist who takes advantage of his power and the trust of his patients in such a way. We call on anyone who was hurt by Yuval Carmi or any other therapist to make their voice heard. You are not alone!"

Eve Young contributed to this report.