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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.  

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How the Lethality Assessment Protocol Helps Survivors

What is the Lethality Assessment Protocol?

 The Lethality Assessment is an 11-item questionnaire that is used for intimate partner violence. When officers respond to a domestic violence call, they use this assessment to determine if someone is in immediate, life-threatening danger. If so, they then refer this person to CAPSA where we can offer them immediate shelter and resources.  

CAPSA’s Partnership with Local Law Enforcement

 Research done by Jacqueline Campbell found that only 4% of DV murder victims nationwide had ever accessed domestic violence program services. Because of this, CAPSA, Cache County Sherriff’s Office and Logan City Police Department piloted LAP for Utah with Utah Domestic Violence Coalition in 2015. Now, 13 other community based DV agencies have partnered with over 60 law enforcement Agencies with additional jurisdictions joining every year.  

CAPSA partners with local law enforcement to ensure that survivors who are in dangerous situations are referred immediately to CAPSA. The screening of certain risk factors allows us to predict lethality and take the necessary steps to help survivors in these situations. 

How the Lethality Assessment Protocol Helped a Survivor

 Law enforcement recently referred a victim of domestic violence to Capsa through the Lethality Assessment Protocol. The officer had concern that there was more going on in the situation than was disclosed and expressed his concern for the victim’s safety. After learning about confidentiality and building rapport with her caseworker, she ended up disclosing much more serious abuse than she had initially shared with the officer. She had concerns about what would happen with her kids and her financial situation if her spouse was to be arrested. The caseworker was able to work through an action plan to address those concerns and provided her with the option of making another police report. With the support of the caseworker and the officer she was able to see the dangerousness of her situation and receive support to start a life free from abuse. 

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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. 

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Holidays – Supporting a family or friend experiencing domestic violence

Holidays typically mean time with family, with people we love and who love us too. These much-needed breaks provide a time to rest and recharge as you enjoy spending time with loved ones. However, sometimes this means helping loved ones who are dealing with abuse.  

If your loved one tells you they are experiencing abuse, start by believing. If they come to you it is because they trust you and feel safe with you, the best thing you can do is to respect that. 

Here are some tips for how to be supportive of loved ones being abused. 

Don’t be afraid to bring up the subject. Talk to your friend or relative. Ask where they would feel comfortable talking, keeping in mind privacy and safe locations. 

Acknowledge their situation. Let the person know it is not their fault. The responsibility lies with the person who has hurt them. Let them know that it is okay to feel hurt, sad, humiliated, etc. Give them a chance to vent their feelings. 

Validate their experience. Let them know that you are concerned for their physical and emotional safety and if they have children, that you are concerned for their children as well. 

Let them know there is help available. Encourage them to call CAPSA to discuss a safety plan and learn about community resources. 

Respect their choices. Survivors of domestic violence may return to the abusive relationship many times. Do not abandon them (even when it is discouraging). Never let them believe that they have lost their chance to come to you again, if needed. 

Caring for a family member in these situations is never easy, but remember that you are not alone. CAPSA can help you and your loved ones plan for safety and get connected to helpful resources.

Call our Support Line at 435-753-2500 to find out how CAPSA can help. 

 

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Fight Against Domestic Violence will be sponsoring the playground in Independence Place for $6,000 per year

CAPSA is excited to announce Fight Against Domestic Violence, an international foundation based out of Salt Lake City, will be sponsoring the playground in Independence Place for $6,000 per year.  

Background

Independence Place, a neighborhood owned and operated by CAPSA, is made up of nine single family homes, a playground, and a neighborhood garden. Part of a larger transitional housing program, Independence Place allows for more flexibility to support families who may not qualify for other housing opportunities. While in CAPSA’s Transitional Housing Program, participants receive housing assistance and continue to work with CAPSA staff for up to two years as they work on life assets.

CAPSA is the first and only nonprofit domestic violence shelter in Utah to build their own neighborhood. Independence Place is considered a flagship transitional housing program for the state of Utah.

“Our clients really start to heal once they are safe and have a place to call home. This is why finding housing is among the first priorities when families enter our emergency shelter,” stated Jill Anderson Executive Director of CAPSA. “The vision of Independence Place is to ensure CAPSA is always able to provide housing to our clients now and in the future. By owning our own housing, it allows us to help more of our clients and their families start new lives free from abuse.”

Independence Place broke ground in 2011 and was completed in 2015. The neighborhood was fully funded by private donations from foundations, businesses, and individuals including the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, the Sorenson Legacy Foundation, Wasatch Property Management Group, Conservice, Sports Academy, Riverwoods Conference Center, Schreiber, and many individual donors. Since 2015, CAPSA has been able to provide housing assistance and housing to an average of 30 families per year.

Independence Place Sponsorship

As a nonprofit, CAPSA relies on community support both financially and through direct support. The Independence Place sponsorship program accomplishes both by raising money to cover many of the neighborhood expenses and fund other outreach services and offset some maintenance cost. It is also to connect the community to CAPSA and demonstrates to our clients they are supported.

“The vision of this sponsorship program is more than just raising money. It is linking the community to CAPSA by giving them ownership in their sponsored home,” stated James Boyd Development Director at CAPSA. “We want these organizations to feel like these homes are their homes. We put their name of the home and give them multiple service project opportunities.”

The amount of $6,000 is the average cost for CAPSA to subsidize housing for our families.

“It is amazing to see how the healing really begins when a family is in a safe home. They begin on a path that changes generations,” stated Anderson. “$6,000 is really a small investment for this family and for our community. We are lucky to have great businesses in our community, and now across the state, who can see this vision and want to support this program and these families.”

Lewiston State Bank became the first home sponsor in January 2018. “This program does so much for our community, and we are happy to be a sponsor,” said Judd Austin, president of Lewiston State Bank. “The Bank takes pride in being an annual sponsor.”

Other businesses join Lewiston State Bank as an ongoing sponsor including Malouf Foundation, Icon Foundation, and MW Construction.

Fight Against Domestic Violence

Fight Against Domestic Violence (FADV) is committed to providing education, awareness, outreach, and resources to domestic violence victims and those who support them.

FADV’s Executive Director, Dr. Jessie Richards, is an Aggie and a long-time supporter of CAPSA and Cache Valley. “CAPSA is such an inspiration,” stated Richards. “It is one of the first shelters to implement a ‘zero-turn-away’ policy, which means it is constantly innovating new ways to support survivors.” Because of her relationship to Logan, FADV has also financially supported research on domestic violence at Utah State.

“CAPSA is a leading voice in Housing First policies, creating safe and stable environments for survivors. We want to be part of their innovation,” stated Brooke Muir, FADV’s Program Director. Muir, and Richards, along with Stephanie Buehner, FADV’s Outreach Director, chose to sponsor CAPSA’s playground at Independence Place starting in January of 2019. “We know how crucial it is for children to feel safe and happy while they are in transitional housing.” Stated Buehner. “That’s why this playground is so important to FADV and to the larger community.”

In addition to sponsoring projects such as the Independence Place playground, FADV provides funds to service providers all over the state. Over a million people each year will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. To provide the best care for victims/survivors, service providers rely on support from corporations and individuals, as federal funding does not fully meet many crisis needs. FADV works to fill those funding gaps by distributing unrestricted “Crisis Cash” grants and facilitating other donations and resources to help support survivors. To get involved, or to become a corporate partner making changing in our community, visit www.fadv.org or send an email to Stephanie@fadv.org.

CAPSA still sponsorship opportunities for four of the homes and the neighborhood garden. By becoming an annual sponsor of a home, an organization will receive signage one of CAPSA’s home, public recognition, and optional team building service opportunities. To secure your sponsorship please contact James Boyd at (435)753-2500 or james@capsa.org.

About

CAPSA is a Cache Valley nonprofit domestic violence, sexual abuse, and rape recovery center serving northern Utah. CAPSA provides trauma informed services including advocacy, emergency shelter, transitional housing, and clinical therapy for women, men, and adolescence impacted by abuse. All services are FREE and confidential. Please call our support line anytime at (435)753-2500 to speak with a trained advocate. Learn more about CAPSA at www.capsa.org.

Fight Against Domestic Violence (FADV) is a 501-c3 organization committed to providing education, awareness, outreach, and resources to domestic violence victims and those who support them. Learn more at www.fadv.org.

Contact

James Boyd, Development Director for CAPSA, james@capsa.org, 435-760-5277 (cell)

Jessie Richards, Executive Director for FADV, Jessie@fadv.org, 801-792-0543 (cell)

Stephanie Buehner, Outreach Director, Stephanie@fadv.org, 801-541-4941 (cell)

 

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Domestic Violence Trivia

CAPSA’s Trivia Night is February 24, 2018. To get us in the spirit, we’ve created a set of trivia questions revolving around domestic violence. See how you do:

  1. Which state first rescinded the right of a man to inflict violence upon his partner?
  2. In what year did domestic violence become a federal crime?
  3. In what year did the first shelter for abused women and children open in the United States?
  4. Which film did the domestic violence term, “gaslighting” originate from?
  5. The classic Cycle of Abuse has four main stages: tension building, acute violence or acting out, reconciliation and what?
  6. True or False, domestic violence rates in Utah are higher than the national average.
  7. Including CAPSA, how many domestic violence shelters are there within the state of Utah?
  8. On average, how many times does an individual try to leave an abusive relationship before succeeding?

STOP!

It’s time to review your answers:

  1. Alabama was the first state to rescind this right in 1871. The defining case in the matter was Fulgham V. State.
  2. Domestic violence became a national crime when the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was passed by the United States Congress in 1994.
  3. The Women’s Advocates was the first domestic violence shelter in the U.S., and it opened its doors in 1974.
  4. The term gaslighting originated from the 1944 movie Gaslight. The term is used to describe a form of emotional abuse where the victim feels it is their fault for provoking the abuser to anger. Many individuals who have dealt with gaslighting feel they are going crazy and cannot do anything right.
  5. The Cycle of Abuse culminates in the Honeymoon or calm stage where the abuser is kind and loving toward their victim and they promise they will change and no longer be violent, controlling or manipulative.
  6. True. Nationally, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men will be abused in their lifetime. In Utah, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will experience abuse.
  7. There are 16 domestic violence shelters throughout Utah.
  8. On average, it takes a survivor of domestic violence 7 attempts to escape before succeeding.

Learn more about domestic violence and how to help a loved one on the Get Help part of our website. If you or a loved one experiences or experienced abuse, call CAPSA at (435) 753-2500.

 

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Lethality Assessment Protocol (LAP)

The Lethality Assessment Protocol or LAP, is a major tool used by both local law enforcement and CAPSA personnel. So, what is the LAP?

Originating from Maryland, Dr. Jacquelyn Campbell, of The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, studied the factors associated with domestic homicide within the state. She studied these cases for more than 25 years, and from her study, she found 20 warning signs indicating an individual was at high risk of being killed by an intimate partner.

Inspired by this research, the State of Maryland worked with Dr. Campbell to create an 11 question assessment to be used by law enforcement. Now when a domestic violence call comes in, officers ask the victim of abuse these 11 questions. Depending on the answers, victims are determined whether or not they are at high risk of being murdered by their intimate partner. If at high risk, law enforcement personnel connect the individual to a local domestic violence shelter.

In the seven years since implementing the LAP in Maryland, domestic homicides have reduced by 60%. Since implementing this system in Utah, more than 1,500 individuals have been identified as being in a high-risk situation. Because of the LAP, these 1,500 individuals are receiving the help they are in need of. Before the LAP, only 4% of these at risk individuals visited a domestic violence shelter or sought any type of aid in preventing or dealing with their abusive situation.

We’re grateful for our law-makers and officers for making the LAP a life-saving part of our response to domestic violence within the state.

Learn more about CAPSA and the LAP at the links below:

CAPSA has a new tool to fight domestic violence

Local law enforcement agencies, CAPSA, collaborate to adopt domestic violence protocol

New program connecting domestic violence victims to resources

Policeman honored for implementing domestic violence victim assessment