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”.