A/HRC/40/42 safety of their children due to the settler attacks. It was reported that families with resources moved their children to schools in nearby villages, while others kept the children home. 46. In some rural areas, Palestinian children’s commute to school exposes them to the risk of settler attacks. For example, in the southern West Bank, students in the Tuba area have since 2002 faced repeated settler attacks on their way to/from their school, located in the nearby village of Tuwani, as they use a road that borders the settlement of Ma’on and its associated outpost Havot Ma’on. In 2004, after settler attacks on children and protective presence observers deployed by NGOs, the Israeli District Coordination Office issued a verbal order to the Israel Defense Forces to provide a daily escort to the schoolchildren of Tuba86 – the only known case of the Israel Defense Forces escorting Palestinian children for their protection. However, local residents reported that the Israel Defense Forces sometimes arrive late or not at all, leaving the children vulnerable. For instance, on 9 September 2018, as the escort did not arrive, the children travelled accompanied only by an international protective presence. On their way, a settler attempted to prevent the group from passing by blocking their passage and scaring them, until the Israel Defense Forces reached the scene and let the group through. 47. The situation of threats against schoolchildren has persisted in the area for at least 12 years, with the full awareness of Israeli authorities, indicating that the authorities have not sufficiently addressed the settler violence in the area. 87 A similar case was previously reported in the rural Jordan Valley, where the threat of settler violence was one factor contributing to families sending their children to a bigger city to avoid the commute. 88 48. Settler violence, and the climate of fear and intimidation created by repeated violence and harassment, has a serious psychological impact on victims of and witnesses to violent attacks and affects the psychosocial well-being of everyone in affected communities. Organizations providing mental health responses to victims of settler violence reported effects such as strong feelings of frustration (particularly for men), constant feelings of fear and insecurity, eating disorders, sleep disturbances (particularly for children), anxiety (particularly for women), depression and behavioural problems. These symptoms lead to aggressiveness, violence, social withdrawal, and academic deterioration and poor school performance for children. 89 49. While men and boys are more directly exposed to settler violence, it also directly and indirectly affects the lives of women and girls. Continued exposure to settler violence has a psychological impact on women, who report suffering from anxiety and constant fear for themselves and their children. The increased pressure adds further stress and tensions to family life. Moreover, women and girls may be restricted from working or studying outside the home because of the threat of settler violence. The experiences of men are exacerbated by a perceived failure to provide a safe haven for their families in accordance with traditional gender roles.90 D. Settler violence and displacement 50. Settler violence can be a significant factor contributing to a coercive environment 91 and a decisive factor forcing Palestinians to leave their place of residence. 92 According to a 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 12 The Knesset Committee for Children’s Rights later confirmed this order. A/73/410, para. 16. Ibid., para. 41. OHCHR, “Update on settler violence”, p. 3; and Médecins du monde, “Burin case study”, 5 June 2018, on file. OHCHR, “Update on settler violence”; and Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling, Women’s Voices: In the Shadow of Settlements (2010). See also the Centre’s submission to the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences on Israeli settler violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, 16 September 2013. A/70/351, paras. 25–51; A/71/355, paras. 46–50; A/73/410, paras. 40–43; A/HRC/31/43, para. 54; A/HRC/34/39, para. 52; and A/HRC/37/43, para. 45. A/73/410, para. 55.