About Us

The Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel (ARCCI) was founded in 1990 as the umbrella organization for the nine rape crisis centers operating nationwide:

• Galil-Golan (Kiryat Shmona)
• Nazareth (for the Arab community)
• Haifa
• Sharon
• Tel Aviv
• Jerusalem
• TAHEL (for the religious and ultra-Orthodox communities)
• TAIR (Rehovot and the Shfela region)
• MASLAN (Be’er Sheva and the Negev region)

Individual Support and Services

The rape crisis centers provide a wide range of direct services for survivors of sexual violence, including (inter alia):

• 24/7 crisis hotlines, chat, and WhatsApp support, offering immediate assistance, emotional support, and short- or long-term guidance.
• Legal accompaniment services, assisting survivors from the initial stages of deciding whether to file a complaint, through the police investigation and prosecution process, and up to court proceedings.
• Support groups, specialized in various fields.
• Referrals for therapy and rehabilitation programs, when necessary.
• Assistance in exercising economic rights, including legal claims and social security procedures.

Understanding the challenges survivors face in seeking help, the centers also provide specialized services for men, religious and ultra-Orthodox communities, Arabic speakers, individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and support for families and professionals working with survivors.

Community Engagement and Prevention

The rape crisis centers actively work within and alongside local communities. Their education departments run the “Together” educational program, which promotes healthy sexuality and prevents sexual violence in both formal and informal educational settings, engaging youth, educators, and parents. Additionally, their public awareness teams provide sexual harassment prevention training in workplaces and organizations, as well as support for designated sexual harassment prevention officers.

ARCCI: National Advocacy and Systemic Change

As a social change agency, the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel (ARCCI) works at the national and systemic levels to complement the direct services provided by the centers. The ARCCI promotes:

• Advancing survivors’ rights and services, advocating for comprehensive prevention and response measures, and working to reduce sexual violence in Israel.
• Legislative and policy reforms, leading amendments and regulations that support survivors of sexual violence.
• Legal precedents and training for key stakeholders, including legal professionals, government officials, and law enforcement.
• Participation in public committees and development of broad-based prevention and response frameworks.
• Specialized initiatives for marginalized communities and individuals with special needs.
• Research and knowledge production, collecting data on sexual violence in Israel, survivors’ experiences, and best practices for tailored support.
• Public discourse and media engagement, actively shaping the conversation on sexual violence.
• Coalition-building and activist collaborations, strengthening advocacy efforts for survivors.

The ARCCI also coordinates national projects across the rape crisis centers, ensuring a unified and impactful response to sexual violence in Israel.

Key Areas of ARCCI’s Work

1. Legislative and Policy Advocacy

ARCCI initiates and promotes legislation and policies to improve the rights and services available to survivors of sexual violence. The organization works closely with the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) and government ministries to advance legal protections and support systems.
As part of this effort, ARCCI facilitates direct dialogue between policymakers, public officials, and survivors to ensure that survivors’ voices are heard in decision-making processes.
To date (2025), ARCCI has played a key role in initiating, drafting, and/or advancing over 50 laws that have been enacted in Israel’s legal system.

2. Legal Advocacy and Strategic Litigation

ARCCI’s legal department initiates and participates in strategic lawsuits and petitions that shape Israel’s legal policies regarding sexual violence. The department’s work aims to improve the way the legal system handles sexual offenses and to protect the rights of survivors. These efforts influence both normative and practical changes in legal proceedings and judicial decisions.

3. Media and Public Awareness

ARCCI is active in all media platforms to raise awareness about sexual violence and its impact, shape public discourse, and challenge harmful narratives surrounding survivors.
Additionally, ARCCI provides media guidance for survivors who choose to share their stories publicly, ensuring they are represented respectfully and safely. The media department also leads activism efforts, such as public protests, campaigns, and advocacy initiatives to support survivors and push for systemic change.

4. Research and Knowledge Development

ARCCI is Israel’s leading body for research and data collection on sexual violence. It gathers, analyzes, and publishes comprehensive reports on sexual violence in Israel, including statistics on incidents, survivor experiences, and institutional responses.
The organization also conducts independent studies, develops new tools, and makes research findings accessible to the public, policymakers, and academic institutions. This research informs national policies and advocacy efforts.

5. Education and Training Division

ARCCI’s education division coordinates and enhances the efforts of the educational departments within RCCs across Israel. These programs provide professional and effective training to a wide range of audiences, aiming to reduce sexual violence and increase access to support services.
Additionally, ARCCI trains law enforcement agencies and other professional sectors on how to respond effectively to sexual violence cases.

By integrating individual support with systemic change, ARCCI works toward a future where survivors receive the justice and support they deserve, and society takes active measures to prevent sexual violence.