About

The CEO's statement - Liza Nikolaichuk

22 years ago I reached out to Maslan in order to seek help for my patient, who was being sexually abused by her stepfather. I was immediately captivated by the charm of the place and after a few years of volunteering, I was selected to lead the organization.

During the 33 years of the center’s activity, we were able to bring the issues of sexual and domestic violence into the public discourse and convey the message that these phenomena are a social crime that must be condemned.

Maslan aims to confront all types and layers of violence, starting with helping the victims and following in fighting the social climate that enables, and even perpetuates these phenomena.

Thus, Maslan has two main goals: to assist and support victims of sexual and domestic violence, and to reduce the levels of such violence in our society.

Each and every one of us should connect to the victim’s pain and take responsibility. The responsibility is to understand that this is a struggle for women and men alike. We need to shift the spotlight from the victim to the perpetrator and stop legitimizing violence in any form. We have the responsibility to educate our children to respect others, volunteer, contribute and be a role model.

I am asking you to please spread the message to everyone around you: don’t stay with this alone! Contact us for help, we are here for you 24/7, at 1202 or 08-6421313, in eight languages.

The history

Maslan was established in 1988 by a group of activist women with a feminist ideology, headed by social worker Ofira Levi. That same year, they opened Maslan’s first volunteer course at the end of which the Emergency Support Line for abused women was launched. The Support Line operated from a small office in the old city of Beer Sheva, and was only active during the day. Two years later, the volunteers started conducting workshops for the community regarding domestic violence and surrounding issues.

In 1993, the board decided to open a shelter for battered women, and to develop the Legal Aid project. In 1999 the Pratt Foundation helped Maslan purchase a permanent home for its activity, at Ha’rav Herzog 30, Beer Sheva. During that year the organization underwent significant changes, including the board’s decision to appoint Liza Nikolaichuk, a volunteer and a board member, to be Maslan’s CEO. In addition, they decided to hire a professional staff with broader knowledge and wider range of tools to assist abused women.

In 2005 the board decided to separate the shelter from Maslan, and to extend work around sexual violence. In 2006 Maslan’s outpatient treatment unit was established, due to the lack of therapeutic response in the Negev.

In 2008 three main fields of activity were redefined: assistance and legal aid for victims, therapeutic care, and educational workshops to the general public.

In 2014 Maslan changed its name from “women’s crisis center, Negev” to “The Negev’s Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Support Center”.

The vision

Providing assistance and support to victims and victims of sexual assault and violence and their families.
Reducing the common phenomena of violence in Israeli society through education, prevention and advocacy activities.
Reducing gender violence and improving the general status of women and girls in Israel.