In March of 1973, a group of social work students at Arizona State University in Tempe joined the 70's Feminist Movement to open the first Rape Crisis Center for victims of sexual assault. The Assault Crisis Center (ACC) was created in response to this need. A volunteer 24-Hour crisis hotline and hospital assistance program were subsequently established in September of 1973 to meet the growing demand for services throughout the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.

ACC officially changed its name to the Center Against Sexual Assault (CASA) in September of 1975. In 1991, CASA changed its name a second time, to the “Center Against Sexual Abuse”, to reflect the range of services provided to children and adolescents in the community.

A third name change was initiated in 2001, wherein the agency became known as Casa - Center for Prevention of Abuse & Violence. This latest change was formally adopted by the agency Board of Directors to promote Casa’s mission to include all forms of abuse and violence, with an emphasis on prevention and early intervention services.

Casa has provided service to well over 600,000 children and adults through its 24 Hour Helpline, counseling, and prevention programs since it began offering services to the public. Because it has touched so many lives, Casa’s name and reputation are well known. In 2007, Casa celebrates its 34-year anniversary. Having begun operations in 1973, Casa enjoys the distinction of providing some of the longest running social service programs in the Phoenix metropolitan area.