Rape survivors reveal sex crimes by owners of Tel Aviv BDSM club

• Published date: 24 March 2024
• Author: EREZ HAREL
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

After Nisan approached her, he kissed her hand, and she felt like she had entered a scene from a movie. However, that night was just the beginning, as Michal and other women would later find themselves in a place called "The College."

This past weekend, it was reported for the first time on Walla! that in recent months, following numerous complaints filed with the police, a criminal investigation is being conducted by the crime-fighting unit of the Ayalon region on suspicion of serious sexual offenses, including rape, within the framework of the case.

In recent months, Walla! interviewed women (all names in the article are pseudonyms) who recounted what happened in "The College."

"The College" is a nickname for an apartment in Tel Aviv where a group of men, led by Nisan Gavni, reside, along with many young women who rotate from time to time.

According to the numerous testimonies, the group members used the Taboo Club to lure many young women to come to "The College," where they supposedly led a community life of free and healthy sexuality branching off of the BDSM scene.

However, according to police suspicion, as well as numerous testimonies, it was a trap to perpetrate and normalize severe sexual abuses, manipulative exploitation, and cruel rape. The police are investigating the involvement of at least ten suspects, including Gavni, Shalom Boharon, and Guy Shmuel.

Back to Michal

The party Michal attended ended in the early hours of the night. Nisan invited her to his apartment. When they arrived, Michal was surprised to find a large basement apartment with men and women walking around naked.

Everything was fine until, at a certain point when there were sexual relations, Michal noticed a stranger entering the room. It was Guy Shmuel.

"I was surprised that Nisan showed interest in me," Michal recalled in an interview with Walla! "I was very insecure about my appearance at that time. When Guy entered the room, I signaled to Nisan and told him that I was not comfortable. Nisan told him to leave and close the door, but then he came in a second time. I told him again, but Guy stayed and did not leave despite my resistance."

The incidents inside the apartment and within the club were exposed to the public for the first time on Channel 12's Uvda show (an Israeli investigative journalism show similar to CBS's 60 Minutes) over a year ago.

Despite the difficult testimonies that shook participants of the BDSM scene in Israel, the Taboo Club continued to operate for...