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Start by Believing: How Employers Can Play a Crucial Role in Supporting Survivors of Sexual Assault 

Sexual assault is a devastating experience that can have long-term physical and emotional effects on survivors. Unfortunately, many survivors also face disbelief and victim-blaming when they disclose their experiences to others. As a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting survivors of physical and sexual abuse, CAPSA believes employers play a crucial role in creating a culture of support and believing survivors.  

The Importance of Believing Survivors 

One of the most damaging experiences for survivors of sexual assault is not being believed. When survivors are believed and supported, it can help them begin healing and move forward with their lives. 

When survivors courageously share their experiences, it takes immense bravery and vulnerability. By believing them, we create a safe and supportive environment that validates their pain and their truth. This validation can be transformative, helping survivors overcome the self-doubt and shame that often accompany their experiences. 

Moreover, when we believe survivors, we reinforce a culture that rejects victim-blaming and shatters the walls of silence and stigma surrounding these deeply sensitive issues. This cultural shift opens the door for survivors to seek the support they need, whether it be from friends, family, or professional resources like organizations such as CAPSA.  

Ultimately, by believing survivors, we stand together in solidarity, providing a collective voice that demands justice, empathy, and compassion. It is through this collective effort that we can break the cycle of violence and create a society that prioritizes the safety and well-being of all individuals, free from the devastating impact of domestic violence and sexual assault. 

How Employers Can Support Survivors 

Employers can play a crucial role in creating a culture of support and believing survivors. Here are some ways that employers can support survivors of sexual assault in the workplace: 

  • Provide Time Off: Survivors of sexual assault may need time off to attend counseling or legal appointments, and employers should be willing to provide this time off without penalty. Additionally, survivors may need time off to deal with the physical and emotional effects of their experience, and employers should provide this time off as well. 
  • Create a Safe and Supportive Work Environment: Employers should create a work environment that is safe and supportive for survivors. This can include providing a private space for survivors to make phone calls or take time off for appointments related to sexual assault.  
  • Train Employees: Employers can also provide training to all employees on how to recognize and respond to sexual assault in the workplace. CAPSA’s Community Engagement department specializes in providing this training and can be contacted for scheduling at 435-753-2500. 
  • Implement Sexual Assault Policies: Employers should have policies in place that address sexual assault in the workplace. These policies should include a clear reporting process as well as support and resources for survivors. 

Here to Help 

At CAPSA, we are committed to providing survivor-centered services that meet the unique needs of everyone who seeks our support. When you call CAPSA at 435-753-2500, you can expect a warm and welcoming response, information and support, advocacy and support, and confidentiality. We want survivors to know that they are not alone and that they have the power to make informed decisions about their safety and well-being. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, please don’t hesitate to call CAPSA. 

You Are Not Alone: How CAPSA’s Support Groups Create Peer-Based Support

As a survivor of physical or sexual abuse, it can feel like you are alone and isolated in your experiences. However, at CAPSA, we know that survivors can benefit greatly from connecting with others who have shared similar experiences. That’s why we offer groups, which provide a safe environment for survivors to connect with one another and receive peer-based support. CAPSA offers support, educational, and therapy groups for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Groups create a safe place to learn, process, and heal while developing a peer-based support network.

What are Support Groups? 

Support groups are a form of therapy that involves connecting with others who have experienced similar traumatic events. The purpose of a support group is to provide a safe environment where survivors can share their experiences, feelings, and concerns with others who understand and empathize with what they are going through. 

At CAPSA, we offer several different groups for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. These groups are facilitated by trained professionals who are knowledgeable about the unique needs of survivors. We also offer groups for specific populations, such as LGBTQ+ survivors or Spanish-speaking survivors, to ensure that everyone can receive the resources they need. 

After one of CAPSA’s most recent support groups, one participant reported feeling more validated after participating in the group. She described feeling she is no longer alone. She stated that she usually feels a need for “a lot of words of affirmation,” so hearing the other disclosures in the group affirmed her experiences. Another participant reported leaving the group experience with validation, knowing that what she experienced was real and was abuse, and another participant said she gained confidence in assessing future relationships for red flags because of her participation in the group.

Benefits of Support Groups 

  • Peer-Based Support: Support groups offer survivors the opportunity to connect with others who have shared similar experiences. This peer-based support can be incredibly validating and healing, as survivors no longer feel like they are alone in their experiences.
  • Validation: Survivors often struggle with feelings of shame, guilt, and self-blame after experiencing abuse. Being part of a support group can help survivors validate their experiences and understand that the abuse was not their fault.
  • Increased Self-Esteem: Support groups can help survivors feel more confident and empowered. As they connect with others who have shared similar experiences, survivors may feel more comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings, which can help boost their self-esteem.
  • Coping Skills: Support groups can provide survivors with practical coping skills and strategies to help them manage their symptoms and emotions. By learning from others who have gone through similar experiences, survivors can develop new ways of coping with their trauma.
  • Community: Support groups can help survivors build a sense of community and belonging. By connecting with others who understand and empathize with their experiences, survivors can feel less isolated and more supported.

“Working with groups means longer, harder hours, but I love it, so I keep volunteering to help with them,” said Stefani Taylor, a therapist in CAPSA’s clinical department. “My favorite thing about the Hope & Healing group for survivors of sexual assault is the growth of the group members. Typically, everyone is quiet when we start. The first day is a lot of facilitators talking, asking questions, and building rapport. But over a few sessions, members start to open up, share, and support each other. Bonds form and friendships begin in H&H. People who I never thought would say a word become some of the most frequent participants and some of the friendliest supporters of other group members. I can’t express how much I love watching people become comfortable with the group and close with each other. It is a bond I’ve never seen anywhere else, a really important, close, unspoken bond.”

Here to Help

At CAPSA, we are committed to providing survivor-centered services that meet the unique needs of each individual who seeks our support. When you call CAPSA at 435-753-2500, you can expect a warm and welcoming response, information and support, advocacy and support, and confidentiality. We want survivors to know that they are not alone and that they have the power to make informed decisions about their safety and well-being. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, please don’t hesitate to call CAPSA.

What to Expect When You Call CAPSA: A Guide to Our Survivor-Centered Services

At CAPSA, we are committed to providing survivor-centered services that meet the unique needs of everyone who seeks our support. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, we want to assure you that We Are Here for You and We Believe You! 

What to expect when you call CAPSA  

Our goal is to empower survivors to make informed decisions about their safety and well-being and to access the support they need to become safe and to heal. 

When you call CAPSA at 435-753-2500, you will speak to a trained advocate. We understand that it can be challenging to reach out for help, and we want to assure you that we are here to support you safely and confidentially. Our advocates will listen to your concerns and offer emotional support, validation, and empathy.  

Information and Support 

On the support line, you will be encouraged to speak to caseworkers who will provide you with information and support based on your specific needs and circumstances. We will discuss your safety concerns and provide you with information on safety planning, protective orders, and legal options. If you need immediate safety, you will have access to our emergency shelter.  

Our services are survivor-centered, meaning that we will work with you to identify your goals and support you in achieving them. We can provide you with ongoing emotional support, advocacy with law enforcement and the court system, and assistance with housing, employment, and financial stability. 

Confidentiality 

At CAPSA, we take confidentiality seriously. We understand that privacy and safety are crucial concerns for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Our services are confidential, meaning we will not share any information about your situation without your permission, except in cases where we are legally obligated – such as cases of child or elderly abuse.  

Here to Help

At CAPSA, we are committed to providing survivor-centered services that meet the unique needs of each individual who seeks our support. When you call CAPSA at 435-753-2500, you can expect a warm and welcoming response, information and support, advocacy and support, and confidentiality. We want survivors to know that they are not alone and that they have the power to make informed decisions about their safety and well-being. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, please don’t hesitate to call CAPSA.  

 

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The Intersection of Domestic Violence and the Workplace- How Employers Can Support Survivors

At CAPSA, we understand the devastating impact that domestic violence can have on survivors, including its impact on their employment. Domestic violence can result in physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial instability that can make it difficult for survivors to perform their jobs. We also know that creating a safe and supportive workplace for survivors of domestic violence is essential. As an organization that works to end domestic violence and sexual assault, we want to share some best practices for employers to support employees who are survivors.  

THE IMPACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON THE WORKPLACE

Domestic violence can have a significant impact on the workplace, both for survivors and their colleagues. In addition to physical injuries and emotional trauma, survivors may experience increased absenteeism, decreased productivity, and a higher risk of turnover. This can have a ripple effect on the workplace environment as a whole, leading to decreased morale and increased tension among colleagues. The perpetrator’s behavior can also impact the safety and well-being of other employees. 

BEST PRACTICES FOR CREATING A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE WORKPLACE

To create a safe and supportive workplace for survivors of domestic violence, employers can implement several best practices: 

  1. Ensure employees recognize the workplace supports survivors of domestic violence. This includes understanding the availability of domestic violence support resources in your area. CAPSA is the local resource for Cache Valley and the Bear Lake Area.  One way to do this is to have CAPSA signage around your workplace.  
  1. Engage in identifying a safe and confidential location where a survivor could meet with a CAPSA advocate at the workplace. We are happy to provide this response if needed, call 435-753-2500. 
  1. Provide Training for Employees: CAPSA can provide training in your business – more information can be found at www.capsa.org/business.  
  1. Provide Flexible Work Arrangements: Employers can provide survivors with flexible work arrangements, such as telecommuting or flexible schedules, to help them manage the impact of domestic violence on their job. 
  1. Protect the confidentiality and privacy of survivors by limiting the disclosure of their personal information to those who need to know for safety reasons; avoiding gossip or judgment; and respecting their choices and boundaries. 
  1. Offer support and assistance to survivors by listening to them empathetically; validating their feelings and experiences; expressing concern for their safety; and referring them to CAPSA.

As an employer, creating a supportive work environment will support survivors of domestic violence and improve your overall work environment. 

If you are interested in learning more or collaborating with us on this issue, please contact Alyna Ohling at community@capsa.org or (435) 753-2500. 

 

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Hope Begins with Communities

Highlighting our work and collaboration at city councils across Cache Valley is one way we engage with the communities that we support and that support us. We believe that bringing awareness is vital to ensuring that survivors in all areas get the help they need. These presentations are given twice annually, once in April for Sexual Assault Awareness Month and once in October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

At CAPSA, we know that hope begins when survivors feel supported by their community. To give hope to survivors we encourage communities and individuals to start by believing and help connect survivors to CAPSA. We have several programs and services that work collaboratively to offer hope and support. One of our core services is advocacy, provided by our Casework team.

We have 6 outreach caseworkers and 4 outreach casework interns at CAPSA. Our caseworkers are often the first to have these hard and personal conversations with survivors of sexual assault and rape. During these conversations, our caseworkers help survivors understand their feelings, their reactions, and help normalize all of it. They approach every conversation in a way that gives power and control back to the survivor and empowers them to make choices that are best for them.

In terms of statistics, last year:

  • There were 39 Forensic Sexual Assault Examinations done at Cache Valley Hospital that our team responded to.
  • 52% of our clients disclosed sexual assault either as a primary or secondary survivor.
  • CAPSA assisted a total of 631 sexual assault clients.

 

What Does CAPSA Stand For?

CAPSA stands for Citizens Against Physical and Sexual Abuse

In 1976, two high-profile rape cases occurred on Utah State University’s campus. This troubled many community members, and deciding to act, they created the Cache Valley Rape Crisis Team. The team was a hotline and calls were directed toward the University’s Women’s Center. 

In 1979, Utah passed a spousal abuse act, which made domestic violence illegal. With this legislation, both the need and funding for domestic violence shelters increased. The response team changed its name to Citizens Against Physical & Sexual Abuse, and community members began housing individuals within their own homes. 

From there CAPSA has grown into a 34-bed domestic violence shelter with caseworkers and a therapy program. We also have a housing program, child advocacy, and an education department dedicated to educating youth in hopes to prevent future violence. CAPSA is a team of some of the best people who have a passion for serving our community and helping people heal from abuse.  

 

A few of our team members share what CAPSA means to them

 Brenna, Children and Youth Services Manager  

“CAPSA gives a sense of hope. I love coming to work every day knowing that I can make a difference in the lives of children and youth. Their voices deserve to be heard and are often overlooked. I am happy to build relationships with our young generation in hopes to set them up for success in every aspect of their life.” 

 

Victoria, Diversity Caseworker 

“I think CAPSA for me means a place of healing and hope no matter where you come from or your immigration status, everyone is welcome here to heal and move forward.” 

 

Maddie, Community Engagement Coordinator 

“To me, CAPSA represents a true sense of hope in the face of hardship. In a world where we’re all constantly inundated with horrifying headlines and shockingly sad stories, it’s really easy to start feeling overwhelmed and to wonder where to even begin helping everyone who needs it. It’s really nice to work at a place like CAPSA, where helping survivors of abuse is the sole focus, but a major emphasis is also placed on self-care. We know that taking care of ourselves is critical to doing the work we do as successfully as possible.”    

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CAPSA Teaches about Healthy Relationships to Prevent Teen Dating Violence 

CAPSA’s Education Department Shares What They Teach About Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships

 

Lindsey, one of our educators, recently taught about healthy relationships to a class at Mountain Crest High School. During her lesson, students learned what makes up a healthy relationship such as trust, communication, boundaries, and respect. During this lesson, they also had the chance to come up with examples of unhealthy relationships and share with the class – such as the intensity of Edward towards Bella in Twilight or the controlling aspect of the mother in Tangled. We believe it is vital for teenagers and young adults to understand the dynamics of healthy relationships so they know what to look out for in their own relationships.  

In addition to Healthy Relationships, CAPSA’s prevention educators present on many other topics. If you are interested in setting up a presentation for your students or youth group, reach out to shellie@capsa.org.  

Secondary Survivors are Survivors

CAPSA’s mission is to support and empower survivors as they go through the healing process, this includes secondary survivors who are caring for loved ones.  

Who is a Secondary Survivor? 

 

A secondary survivor is someone who has been exposed to abuse through witnessing an abusive event or someone they are close to disclosing the experience to them. Often, this refers to someone who is helping support the survivor through the healing process, such as a close friend, a relative, or even a parent. They may experience some of the same side effects of dealing with trauma such as depression, anxiety, and emotions related to abuse and healing.   

Secondary survivors sometimes struggle with the emotions they feel, concerned that they are taking away from the survivor’s experience but the truth is there is no right way to feel when dealing with abuse. Secondary survivors may feel all, some, or none of the emotion’s survivors feel, and all these are valid responses.   

How Does CAPSA Support Secondary Survivors?

  

CAPSA provides support and empowerment through services designed to meet the needs of survivors dealing with abuse, including secondary survivors. CAPSA’s therapy program is available, and our therapists recognize the difficulty that can come with being a secondary survivor.   

Often, secondary survivors focus on finding healing for their loved ones. CAPSA offers therapy and advocacy to ensure this does not come at the expense of themselves. Friends and family move together and heal together, and ensuring the health and safety of secondary survivors benefits the survivors they worry about as well.   

CAPSA’s therapists work with secondary survivors to ensure they have the knowledge and skills needed to be supportive and help them work through the emotional impacts of abuse.  

 

If you are supporting a loved one through abuse and the healing process, know that you are not alone. CAPSA is here to provide support, information, and advice, and help you understand the process. You can contact CAPSA by calling 435-753-2500 to speak with a trained advocate and get the help you need. 

Warning Signs of Human Trafficking

Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Every year, millions of men, women and children are trafficked. 

CAPSA supports survivors of human trafficking because human trafficking is abuse. Human trafficking is about exploitation; a victim can be trafficked without ever leaving their home.  

Two forms of human trafficking include sexual exploitation & labor trafficking. Sexual exploitation is a form of sexual abuse in which a person(s), of any age takes advantage of a power imbalance to force or entice a person into engaging in sexual activity in return for something. Labor trafficking is using force, fraud, or coercion to compel an individual to provide involuntary labor or services.  

Warning Signs of Labor Trafficking

  • Malnourishment 
  • Signs of physical injuries and abuse 
  • Avoiding eye contact, social interaction, and authority figures  
  • Lack of personal possessions 
  • Working excessively long hours 
  • Poor health 
  • Inability to speak for themselves 

Warning Signs of Sexual Exploitation

  • Unexplained source of new clothing, jewelry, etc. 
  • Chronic runaway or homelessness 
  • Lying about age 
  • Lack of knowledge of a given community or whereabouts 
  • Presence of an overly controlling and abusive partner 
  • Lack of trust 
  • Self-blame, feelings of shame 

We encourage you to be aware of warning signs so that you can help a friend or loved one in need. If you or someone you know is being trafficked or has been trafficked, please call CAPSA at 435-753-2500. 

Give the Gift of Hope

This holiday season, we invite you to give the gift of hope to survivors.  

We need your financial, in-kind, and volunteer support to ensure our neighbors, friends, and family members impacted by abuse and trauma have CAPSA’s life-saving and life-changing supportive services. 

 

Three Ways to Give  

Monetary 

CAPSA relies on monetary community support to provide the services we offer. These funds provide free therapy, supportive advocacy, children’s services, safe housing, and emergency shelter for survivors. No matter the amount, your money goes to helping survivors start over and find hope. 

Consider donating- www.capsa.org/donate 

 

In-Kind 

In-Kind donations like toilet paper, children’s clothes, paper towels, and winter coats go directly to our clients or our day-to-day operations. As you can imagine, with 70 employees, CAPSA goes through lots of toilet paper and paper towels on a day-to-day basis. When these types of things are donated, we can use monetary donations to go towards our emergency shelter clients, and our other programs.  

To make an in-kind donation, contact 435-753-2500. Donations can also be dropped off at 308 W 100 N in Logan, UT.
 

 

Volunteering 

Another way to give back to CAPSA and your community is by volunteering. Many non-profits, including CAPSA, rely on volunteers to help with the work they do. Our volunteers do the equivalent work of 25 full-time paid employees. We couldn’t do this work without this form of support. We have many different options for those interested in volunteering – there is a place for everyone to help out at CAPSA. 

If you are interested in volunteering, contact volunteer@capsa.org.  

 

Thank You 

Your donations mean more than you’ll ever know. Below is one of many thank you notes that we received from a client. This is why we do the work we do. And with your support we can continue doing this important work for our community.