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Hope Begins When You Start by Believing: Why Trauma-Informed Responses Matter for Survivors

At CAPSA, we believe that hope begins when you start by believing. This means that we approach survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence with trauma-informed responses, recognizing the impact that trauma can have on individuals and prioritizing their safety and well-being.  

Why Trauma-Informed Responses Matter 

Trauma-informed responses are essential for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence because of the impact that trauma can have on individuals. Responding in an appropriate, trauma-informed manner helps prioritize survivors’ safety and well-being. When survivors come forward, they are often met with skepticism and blame, which can exacerbate the trauma they have experienced. Trauma-informed responses, on the other hand, center the survivor’s experiences and prioritize their needs. 

Trauma-informed responses also recognize that trauma can have long-lasting effects on individuals and that recovery is a process. By providing trauma-informed care, survivors are given the tools and resources they need to cope with the impact of trauma and move toward healing. 

How CAPSA Provides Trauma-Informed Responses 

At CAPSA, we are committed to providing trauma-informed responses to survivors. Here are some of the ways we do this: 

  • Survivor-Centered Approach: CAPSA’s services are survivor-centered, which means that we prioritize the needs and experiences of survivors in all aspects of our work. We recognize that each survivor’s experience is unique, and we believe that survivors are experts in their own experiences and that they should be empowered to make decisions about their own healing journey. We work with survivors to develop safety plans that prioritize their safety and well-being. This includes providing information on legal options, counseling services, and emergency housing, all the while providing survivors with choices and empowering their independence.  
  • Trauma-Informed Care: Our staff receive ongoing training in trauma-informed care to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide effective support to survivors. CAPSA’s staff, including caseworkers and therapists, recognize and understand trauma responses, such as the fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses. This helps in avoiding re-traumatization and responding appropriately to survivors’ needs.   
  • Peer Support: We offer peer-based support groups for survivors. These groups provide a safe and supportive space for survivors to connect with others who have experienced similar trauma. 
  • Collaboration and Referrals: CAPSA collaborates with other local service providers and agencies to offer comprehensive support, effectively establishing a network for referrals, and ensuring survivors have access to various resources. 
  • Trauma-Informed Programming: CAPSA has developed programs and activities that are mindful of trauma, such as yoga, art therapy, mindfulness practices, and support groups. 
  • Cultural Sensitivity: CAPSA is sensitive to diverse cultural backgrounds and how trauma might intersect with various cultural experiences. At CAPSA, we know that providing culturally competent care is crucial to providing trauma-informed services. 

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. 

Providing a family with a safe home and wrap around supportive services…

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A mother and her two children were trapped and isolated in their home. Her husband was physically and emotionally abusive, and although she believed she was shielding her children from the abuse, the turning point came when her seven-year-old daughter witnessed her being strangled.

Overwhelmed and scared for herself, and even more terrified for the emotional scars on her children, she decided they had to leave. She reached out to CAPSA’s crisis phone line and, over several calls, worked with a caseworker to craft a plan for a safe departure. They fled their home during a brief window when her husband was out on an errand.

Upon arriving at CAPSA’s emergency shelter, her first request was to sleep, revealing, “I haven’t slept in months, fearing what he might do next.” During their stay, she met daily with her caseworker to devise a tailored action plan, with employment and housing as primary goals.

CAPSA’s youth advocates also stepped in, focusing on her children’s emotional healing. Their support continued beyond shelter, with home visits and support groups.

Securing a job at a call center, she began applying for rentals. It was then she discovered her partner had taken out credit cards in her name, damaging her credit. Devastated and fearing she’d never find a home, her caseworker arranged for her to move into a home in Independence Place, a CAPSA-owned neighborhood.

Imagine the joy and hope she felt walking her children into their own home – a truly safe home. As part of CAPSA’s transitional housing program, they received ongoing support from housing caseworkers, including home visits and support/educational groups.

Both she and her eldest child benefited from CAPSA’s clinical therapy. At her call center job, a customer with a deep voice once triggered a panic attack. She later shared that CAPSA’s therapy “helped me learn how to recognize my trauma and use grounding techniques to center myself.” For her seven-year-old daughter, therapy was a healing sanctuary where she was able to process her fears and her own trauma.

The legal journey, from divorce to creditor negotiations, was both challenging and costly. Thankfully, CAPSA’s COACH funds helped cover some expenses, allowing her to finalize her divorce just over a year after leaving.

After 1.5 transformative years in CAPSA’s shelter and then neighborhood, the family was ready and financially stable enough to move into their own place. In gratitude, she expressed, “I am so grateful for CAPSA and wish to move out early, so this home will be available for the next family like mine.”

When you donate to CAPSA, you provide a family with a safe home and wrap around supportive services to be successful.

Here is a breakdown of how your donation supported this family:

  • Crisis Phone Line (4 calls): $52.00
  • Emergency Shelter: $7,655.38
  • Youth Advocates: $2,094.69
  • Transitional Housing: $16,228.84
  • Clinical Therapy: $3,176.60
  • COACH Funds (Legal Fees): $2,500.00

Total Cost for Crisis and supportive services for this family was $31,717.51.

Domestic violence is not just physical

Many individuals struggle to understand that domestic violence isn’t always physical.

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One woman, perpetually walking on eggshells within her marriage, didn’t think CAPSA could assist her. “Because, he never hit me,” she said. His abuse was more insidious — belittling her, criticizing her appearance, giving her the silent treatment, and then blaming her for his behavior.

Her perspective began to change during a company-sponsored CAPSA training on domestic violence. She learned about various forms of abuse, including emotional, psychological, and financial. She still questioned whether CAPSA’s services could help her but began to wonder.

The catalyst for her decision to contact CAPSA was a harsh verbal tirade from her husband, who was angry that dinner wasn’t ready. She had a long day at work and had arrived home late.

At that moment, she decided to call CAPSA’s crisis line. Initially withholding her name due to apprehension, she found an empathetic and non-judgmental listener in a CAPSA caseworker.

Over several calls, a cautious trust was established, and she began to meet with her caseworker.

Initially, she wanted to remain in the marriage but sought ways to feel empowered. She appreciated that the caseworker respected her choices, including her decision to stay in the relationship. To help her become more empowered, her caseworker referred her to CAPSA’s clinical therapy program.

Her therapist shared, “During a breakthrough session, she decided to seek a divorce, recognizing her own strength and the need for independence. This was a significant milestone.”

With the continued support of her CAPSA caseworker, she was able to find a new place to live and initiate the divorce process.

Reflecting on her journey, the caseworker stated, “Helping someone reclaim their autonomy and freedom is why we do what we do at CAPSA.”

When you donate to CAPSA, you fund programs that break the cycle of domestic violence.

Here is a breakdown of how your donation supported this survivor.

    • CAPSA’s Business Training – $250
    • Crisis Phone Line (3 calls) – $36
    • Casework – $401
    • Clinical Therapy – $1588
    • COACH Funds – $1,250

Total Cost for crisis and supportive services for this survivor was $3,525. Thank you for your support!

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CAPSA – Your Expert Trainers on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention

Domestic violence and sexual assault are pervasive problems that affect individuals, families, and communities. As a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting survivors of physical and sexual abuse, CAPSA believes that educating and training employees on these issues is crucial in creating a culture of prevention and support. 

Why Employee Training on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault is Important 

Domestic violence and sexual assault can have significant impacts on individuals and their ability to work. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 60% of domestic violence survivors report losing their job as a direct result of their abuse. Additionally, survivors of sexual assault may struggle with physical and emotional effects that can impact their work performance and attendance. By providing training to employees on how to recognize and respond to domestic violence and sexual assault, employers can create a safer and more supportive work environment for all employees. 

How CAPSA Can Help 

CAPSA is a valuable resource for employers seeking to provide training on domestic violence and sexual assault. Our expert staff has extensive experience working with survivors of abuse and can provide customized training that meets the specific needs of each employer. We offer a range of training topics: 

  • CAPSA Service Awareness: participants learn the basics and history of CAPSA as an organization and the services they provide, as well as tips on how to recognize warning signs of abuse, how to respond, and how to appropriately refer survivors to CAPSA.  
  • The Impact of Abuse: a comprehensive definition of violence and how it affects individuals, relationships, communities, and workplaces.  
  • Elder Abuse: a deep dive into how abuse disproportionately affects our elderly communities, how to recognize warning signs, and how to lessen the impact. 
  • How to Be a Trauma-Informed Workplace: a discussion on the definition of trauma, understanding trauma responses, and how workplaces can implement policies, procedures, and practices to better help employees who are healing from trauma.  

Here to Help 

Additionally, CAPSA offers ongoing support to employers who have completed our training. Our staff are available to answer questions, provide resources, and offer additional training as needed. 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.