CAPSA’s Founding Story

Our Story

Survivors, partners, donors and community members who come to CAPSA, have likely noticed a prominent plaque adorning one of the cornerstones of the North entrance.   

Etched on that plaque is a fitting tribute to our “founder” and “friend.” Jenny Box, a lifelong Cache Valley native, was one of the original founding members of CAPSA and continues to be a driving force for building CAPSA into the organization it is today.   

Jenny Box – A Brief History of CAPSA

 Following 2 high profile rape cases occurring on USU campus, Jenny, along with USU staff, students, and various community members, established the Cache Valley Rape Crisis Team. A team made up of devoted volunteers, Box and others stepped forward to fill a serious need in the community.   

As she helped those in crisis, Jenny learned that many survivors of abuse and their families needed a means of escape. A safe and stable place to heal. In 1976, Jenny came to her husband and informed him that they would be sheltering families in crisis, using their own home.   

With both in agreement, perhaps without knowing the full scope of the task they were undertaking, Jenny and Thad housed 3 families within the first week of opening their home as a shelter. Thad would later state “I’m a slow learner, but I figured out pretty fast that domestic violence was a problem here in the community.”   

Stepping Forward – CAPSA Today  

Since then, CAPSA has grown and flourished, serving as a local resource for survivors of abuse in both Cache and Rich County. This growth is due in part to CAPSA’s mission to unite the members of the community in taking a stand against domestic violence and sexual assault.   

During the April 2011 Women in Business event, Jenny Box said of CAPSA:  

“I can only conclude that this organization exists because it needs to exist, because it was meant to be. When the need is greatest, someone in our community always steps forward and saves the day.”  

-source: https://wib.usu.edu/newsletters/2011April.pdf  

Jenny Box Memorial Plaque  

The philosophy of stepping forward to save the day personifies Citizens Against Physical and Sexual Abuse, and without Jenny Box stepping forward to help establish CAPSA, it would not be the valuable resource to the community it currently is.   

As such, Jenny Box will be forever honored on the cornerstone plaque of the CAPSA building, symbolizing her key role of building CAPSA into what it is today. 

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Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is domestic violence awareness month. Raising awareness around domestic violence isn’t an easy topic, but CAPSA exists to provide hope. We help survivors in all types of situations find success and healing.  

We want to share some success stories that highlight how CAPSA is able to help all individuals in all kinds of situations.  

1 in 7 men in Utah will experience domestic violence.

  *Names changed to support privacy & confidentiality 

Throughout their relationship, Dan’s girlfriend would often ask him to do a lot of things he didn’t want to do, and when he said no, she would threaten to report his past illegal activity. He was also afraid of the physical harm she could cause. Dan had heard of CAPSA through a sign in the men’s bathroom at his work. He never really thought twice about it because for the majority of his life he thought abusive situations really only happened to women. One day he decided to take a card from the bathroom. Later that day he called CAPSA to see how we could help. 

Because Dan reached out to CAPSA, he was able to come in and meet with our caseworkers in a safe and confidential space. They reassured him that he was in fact in an abusive situation and that what was happening to him was wrong. CAPSA’s caseworkers and therapists advocated for him and helped him through his situation. Dan realized that men also deserve to be treated with respect and that these situations can happen to men as well.  

Men do experience Domestic Violence, CAPSA is here to help.  

1 in 5 Utah children will hear or witness domestic abuse.

*Names changed to support privacy & confidentiality 

Two young kids had witnessed much of their parents’ fighting from a young age. Jack was only 7 but he could remember the yelling from when he was really little. Their mom, had tried to hide the abuse from her kids to the best of her ability, but when it got really bad, she knew they could tell what was going on. Sarah knew she couldn’t let them continue to hear the things her husband was saying to her. She had always been financially tied to him, which is what had kept her from seeking help before. 

Sarah was able to contact CAPSA and stay in our emergency shelter with her kids. She received financial assistance which helped her to secure an apartment for her family while she utilized our therapy programs and furthered her education.  

Families are impacted by domestic violence, CAPSA is here to help. 

 

CAPSA Services are Free and Confidential

 If you or anyone you know is experiencing abuse, CAPSA can provide free and confidential services. Call 435-753-2500 to speak with a trained advocate.