The Tel Aviv Sexual Assault Crisis Center, initially called the Tel Aviv Rape Crisis Center, was founded in 1978 by the Tel Aviv branch of the Israel Feminist Movement, evolving in 1982 into an independent, fully accredited, non-profit organization. It was the first such entity in Israel and remains the largest, offering the most services. Currently there are 9 other Sexual Assault / Rape Crisis Centers operating in various locations in the country.
In 2015 the Tel Aviv Sexual Assault Crisis Center handled over 10,200 calls, 35% of all calls received by all the Sexual Assault / Rape Crisis Centers in Israel. The population served by the Tel Aviv Center is approximately 1.8 million, some 23% of the entire population of Israel.
From the beginning it was recognized that the Tel Aviv Center has several parallel roles:
- Providing immediate crisis intervention services to women
- Raising public awareness
- Initiating essential social change through extensive educational outreach programs