The organization's goals

To provide assistance to victims of sexual violence, and to fight the phenomenon of sexual violence by increasing public awareness and changing public opinion.

a. Provide emotional assistance, support, advice and aid to victims of sexual violence and people close to them, 24 hours a day.

b. To engage in educational activities and raise public awareness concerning this social problem, and provide information about it.

c. To work cooperatively with the organizations that come in contact with victims of sexual violence, in order to improve their understanding of the problems unique to this subject.

The Upper Galilee and Kiryat Shmona Rape Crisis Center was founded in 1994 by the Women's Forum of Kiryat Shmona. In 1997, the Center separated from the Women's Forum and registered as an independent, non-profit organization.

Today, ten such centers exist throughout the country, from the very north to the furthest town in the south, covering every region of the country. The centers work cooperatively in an association of such centers. Among the centers, three are unique for populations with special needs:

• The Center for Arab Women – in Nazareth.

• The Center for religious and ultra-Orthodox women – in Jerusalem.

• The Center for assisting men – in Tel Aviv.

The three centers mentioned above provide services to people all over the country.

The Rape Crisis Center operates a 24-hour hot line, the number of which is 1202, thus enabling every victim to receive assistance. Anonymity of the caller is assured, as is complete discretion. The help provided is flexible and adjusted to the needs of each individual victim. The assistance can be manifested at several different levels: telephone conversation, face-to-face meeting, accompanying the victim to the police, accompanying the victim to court during the legal process, referrals to treating agencies, and more. The services are provided free of charge.

In providing assistance, the victim's needs constitute the principal consideration. Assistance is given only according to what the victim wants. We prefer to speak to the victim herself, although we assist every individual who calls us (relatives, friends, acquaintances of the victim), both to help them and to help the victim through them. We also provide emergency assistance to men and children who are victims of sexual violence, although we prefer to refer them to the appropriate organizations.

In addition to the immediate assistance to victims, we act to raise public awareness and to change society's opinions. To do this, we hold workshops, seminars, give lectures, proved educational programs in schools, in the army and in other organizations, and educate other professionals who come into contact with victims, like the police, emergency room staff, treating professionals, judges, prosecutors, etc. Furthermore, we work through the media and advertising, in the framework of the national association, for changes in the law. The Center serves as a public resource, providing a wide range of up-to-date information on the subject of sexual violence.

The Center perseveres in its effort to expand its activities, both in existing spheres and into new fields, which will be appropriate for broad groups of the population. Thus, the Center holds regular Protest Meetings against violence against women once a month, at a central junction in Kiryat Shmona. These protest meetings are organized and carried out by the Center's volunteers.

Education and Information Project – Lectures and workshops are given in schools, employees' unions and associations, the army, professionals and others, on the subject of preventing sexual violence and how to relate to victims of sexual violence.

New Immigrant Project – "Copies" the Center's services, in terms of services provided and the training of education and information volunteers, into the Russian language.

Training Courses – The center provides courses for training its volunteers. Each course is provided at a high professional level, and entails some 15 meetings, during which skills and tools for intervening during crises are taught.

Funding Sources

The Rape Crisis Center of Kiryat Shmona and the Upper Galilee is an independent, non-profit organization which functions primarily on the basis of donated funds, or funds obtained for specific projects.

Quick-dial telephone no. 1202, or 694-3996; there is not need for the caller to identify herself!

Office telephone: 04/690-5983

Donations can be made to Bank Discount, No. 11, Kiryat Shmona Branch, No. 110, Account No. 416320.