Working to end Gett abuse in the UK
Registered Charity Number 1195900
What is Gett Abuse?
Jewish divorce is a consensual process: the husband must freely grant a Gett (religious bill of divorce), which the wife must freely accept. Sadly, the consensual nature of the process is open to abuse.
Gett abuse occurs when one spouse refuses to grant or accept a Gett, trapping the other spouse in the marriage.
This may occur because one spouse does not wish to be divorced at all. More commonly it occurs when both spouses wish to divorce but one spouse uses the granting or accepting of a Gett to extort concessions (e.g., relating to financial or child custody arrangements) from the other as a condition for being released from the Jewish marriage.
Gett abuse may amount to the criminal offence of coercive control. It should not be tolerated by communities or leaders.
50% of people in the UK surveyed about their Beit Din experience felt pressured to concede something in order to receive their Gett
GETT ABUSE IN NUMBERS
Our clients’ experiences
30%HAVE
THEY HAVE NO SUPPORT FROM A COMMUNAL RABBI
OURMISSION IS SIMPLE :
ENDGETT ABUSEINTHEUK
Gett abuse occurs in Jewish communities across the world.
We believe the UK Jewish community can be a world leader in resolving this issue.
With a concerted effort and co-operation across the UK Jewish community - from local communities, to the Batei Din - we can end Gett abuse in the UK together.
T O
HOW WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE
getts achieved in our first two years
By the time they approached GettOutUK, our clients had been waiting between 6 months and 32 years for a Gett. Working alongside our clients, their lawyers, the Batei Din, the Office of the Chief Rabbi and social workers we have successfully helped free 25 clients so far...and we are just getting started.
open cases
Sadly many of our clients are victims not only of Gett abuse but also other forms of abuse. At GettOutUK our goal is to help our clients acheive their Gett whilst providing them with holistic support in coordination with relevant social workers.
Batei Din in London with whom we have a strong relationship
We are so grateful for the relationships we have built with local Batei Din and Dayanim. We are truly able to work as partners to free our clients.
international partner organisations
We partner with organizations around the world to free our clients. We are also active members of Cheirut, the international coalition of Gett workers. We regularly partner with organizations in Israel and have worked with case workers in America, Australia, South Africa, France, and Canada.
people surveyed about Beit Din experience
We partnered with Chochmat Nashim and ORA to create the first ever data-driven analysis of the Jewish divorce process. The data and user-based reviews are available on the ‘Rate My Beit Din’ website.
care packages sent to clients
Our clients often feel alone and vulnerable, especially around chagim and Mother’s Day. To alleviate their pain and show support, we send themed care packages to our clients at these times of year.
3
15
130
340
7
25
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
“GettOutUk has been my family. After feeling so alone going through this process for so long, they have given me so much support, strength, love and are my family. They are always there when I go through tough times. For a chag they always seem to remember me and my children, they are always there holding my hand through court cases, or going to the Beit Din. their hugs are invaluable. Thank you Rifka and Ramie for giving from your heart always.”
Waiting 8 years for her gett, NW4
“It is hard to find the words to describe how I feel about GettOutUK, I only know that I owe them my whole life. I had no hope, I thought I would be waiting for decades for my Gett. Without them I would still be imprisoned in an abusive marriage. Today I am free and have my whole life ahead of me.”
Waited 3 years for her gett, N16
“Before I found GettOutUK I felt completely alone. I wasn’t taken seriously by the Beit Din and after over a year of trying there was no progress with my Gett. When I started working with GettOutUK I felt I was nearing a light at the end of the tunnel. Things began moving. They responded to me, helped me, listened to me. I thought I must be their only client, they were so responsive and made me feel like my freedom was their number one priority. Within a matter of months I had received my Gett. It wasn’t until I began speaking to other women in my neighbourhood that I realized how many clients they have. “They helped me get my Gett,” or “did you hear they helped so and so with her Gett?” those are their powers, moving things along and making each client feel like their suffering matters and their freedom is a top priority.”
Waited 2 years for her gett, Israel
WE HAVE STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS
“GetOutUK has provided outstanding assistance and support to women who have been denied a Gett. The scourge of Gett refusal, for the purposes of coercing, controlling or spiting a spouse, is an appalling and unacceptable form of abuse, which can have the effect of leaving the victim feeling isolated and helpless. GETToutUK ensures that those affected receive important practical assistance and have a support network in place during this painful time.”
“I am honoured to be working with GettOutUK on the plight of the Agunot. In little over a year they have become an invaluable organisation, directly helping chained women on an individual basis, but also as advisors to those of us who are working in parliament, in the legal system and with the Jewish religious authorities to achieve change to the process that currently does not support observant women who want to end abusive relationships. They have earned the respect of the Batei Din and been brave in their challenge to the inequalities in the system of receiving a gett which many women must navigate at the lowest period of their lives. They bring the voice of these women to the discussion. Women who have been silenced for too long.”
Lord Jon Mendelsohn
“GettOutUK was formed in Tishrei 5781, and its counsellors have already demonstrated that they can achieve a good grasp of the complexities and subtleties of individual cases, and have worked well with the Beis Din in successfully moving cases forward, resulting in a number of gittin being administered and bringing closure to several difficult circumstances.The Beis Din wishes them continued success in their efforts to guide and support women through the divorce process, and in particular to assist in the resolution of challenging situations.”
Dayan Yehonoson Hool, Federation Beit Din
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis
Lord Jon Mendelsohn
Partner with us to end Gett abuse in the UK
Since it was founded in 2020, GettOUT UK has been staffed and run entirely by volunteers.
With 15 current clients and more intakes expected, that is no longer sustainable. To continue our important work, we need your help.
Will support our core operations for one year
Another
£160,000 £100,000
Will allow us to assist clients in hardship with Beit Din fees and legal costs
Pirkei Avot 2:16
“The day is short and the work is great”
HOW WE WILL USE THE FUNDS
GET IN TOUCH
To learn more and donate visit www.gettoutuk.org For queries, email ramie@gettoutuk.org
Exec Team £50,000 Gett Fees £7,000 Client Support £10,000 Exec Assistant £30,000 Discressionary Fund £8,000 Tax & Accountancy £15,000 Advertising & media £13,000 Case worker £30,000
