By now, I hope you’ve heard of the #MeToo social media campaign. It was started by Alyssa Milano on Sunday, October 15, as a way to show all of us how prevalent sexual assault and sexual harassment are.
Milano tweeted, “If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet.” She then shared a photo which read, “Me too. Suggested by a friend: ‘If all the women who have been sexually harassed or assaulted wrote, ‘Me too’ as a status, we might give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem.'”
Personally, I think that goal has been accomplished. My co-workers, family members, neighbors, friends and casual acquaintances have found their voice, and stated, “Me too!”
One post I found most interesting came from a local clergy member in Cache Valley. He shared an article written by a female pastor in California. This pastor, Jennifer, told the stories of her colleagues who have been harassed in church, some have been harassed by congregation members and others have been harassed by congregation leaders. It was a reminder to me that, unfortunately, sexual assault and domestic violence happen everywhere.
Maybe along with declaring, “Me too,” we should stand up to say, “Here too!” It happens in our churches. It happens in our schools. It happens at parties. It happens at work. Unfortunately, it may feel like there is no safe place to turn to, because everywhere people are being assaulted. But I don’t want you to feel unsafe. Even if it is Halloween in a week, I don’t want you constantly looking over your shoulder wondering when something bad will happen. Instead, I want you to first, recognize it happens everywhere, and it’s not your fault. If you’ve been abused, please don’t add to your pain by retracing your steps and just thinking if I hadn’t have gone there… If I hadn’t gone to that party, if I hadn’t gone to his apartment, if I hadn’t gone on that date… It happens everywhere. You are not at fault. There are people who believe you, hear you and care about you. Seek help, and find peace.
Second, I want you to recognize it happens everywhere! If something looks or feels out of place and inappropriate, it definitely might be. Don’t just think because you’re at church, at school, at work or at a friends house that you’re safe. Logan is not a big city. It is a generally safe town, but Logan and Cache Valley are not immune to violence. Please don’t be nervous to walk outside your front doors, but please don’t be oblivious to people’s safety, and don’t just assume we’re safe because we’re in Logan or we’re with friends or we’re at a university sanctioned event. Unfortunately, abuse happens everywhere. It happens in our homes, which seem like they should be the safest places possible. For this reason, we have a responsibility to educate ourselves on signs of violence, and realize how we can stand up for those who we think might be in danger. In that vein, Loveisrespect.org has warning signs and resources for helping a child, a co-worker, a friend, an acquaintance, etc. utilize these resources, and help stop abuse.
#MeToo showed us the prevalence of sexual assault within our communities. Hopefully, thinking about #HereToo can help us realize our role in both not blaming victims of abuse, and helping those in need. Abuse happens everywhere, but kindness and hope are kindled everywhere as well.
At the beginning of October, Gail Weinshenker stepped down from the CAPSA Board. A tremendous force for good, we want to thank her for the indescribable amount of service she has given to CAPSA throughout the years.
In 2016, Weinshenker’s gift of $100,000 allowed CAPSA to
move forward with it’s plans to renovate and expand it’s therapy services and children’s center.
A constant supporter of CAPSA, many employees remember her for her generosity, and her willingness to give whatever she could to CAPSA.
“She donated hand-made purses, large pillows with hand-made pillow cases, clothing, and just so much of her time and her heart to CAPSA,” Katie Stringham, CAPSA’s Development Support Coordinator said.
Along with giving to CAPSA, Weinshenker has improved the lives of students at Utah State University and members of the Cache Valley Center of the Arts’, through her donations of artifacts and money to both organizations.
Learn more of Gail’s giving nature through the following articles:
Citizens Against Physical and Sexual Abuse is recognized by state and federal authorities as the domestic violence, sexual assault and rape recovery center for Rich County. However, due to limited resources, prior to 2017, this meant citizens of Rich County had to travel to Logan for services.
The distance between Rich County and CAPSA’s emergency shelter is greater than 70 miles, and it takes more than an hour and a half to drive to.
Knowing this, CAPSA Executive Director, Jill Anderson decided to expand services to Rich County.
“It takes a tremendous amount of courage to leave an abusive relationship,” Anderson said. “I don’t want people hesitating to leave because shelter is too far away.”
CAPSA began its expansion into the county by educating middle and high school students on healthy relationships and how to prevent bullying.
“Education plays a huge role in ending abuse,” CAPSA’s Prevention Education Coordinator, Shellie Lusk said. “Many teenagers don’t know how to react to violence because no one’s ever taught them what to do when they see it or who to talk to.”
In addition to educating students, CAPSA has assigned a full-time caseworker, Allie Leezer, to Rich County.
To date, Leezer has assisted two individuals with protective orders and finding safe housing. She hopes to assist more residents as they become increasingly familiar with CAPSA and its mission.
“Sometimes it’s scary when you have to contact a caseworker,” Leezer said. “No one ever wants to make that phone call, but I hope the community can begin to see how we are aiding families in need, and we’re helping people live lives free of abuse and fear.”
If you or a loved one has experienced domestic abuse or sexual assault, call CAPSA at (435) 753-2500. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
CAPSA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to ending abuse. It provides free confidential therapy and shelter services to those in need, and it has a 24-hour hotline where individuals experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault can call to receive services.
Contacts:
Katie Stringham, Development Support Coordinator, katie@capsa.org, 435-753-2500
https://www.capsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/capsaLogo.png00Maddie Sotohttps://www.capsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/capsaLogo.pngMaddie Soto2017-09-18 17:01:572023-05-26 12:38:45CAPSA expands into Rich County
#MeToo
By now, I hope you’ve heard of the #MeToo social media campaign. It was started by Alyssa Milano on Sunday, October 15, as a way to show all of us how prevalent sexual assault and sexual harassment are.
Milano tweeted, “If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet.” She then shared a photo which read, “Me too. Suggested by a friend: ‘If all the women who have been sexually harassed or assaulted wrote, ‘Me too’ as a status, we might give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem.'”
Personally, I think that goal has been accomplished. My co-workers, family members, neighbors, friends and casual acquaintances have found their voice, and stated, “Me too!”
One post I found most interesting came from a local clergy member in Cache Valley. He shared an article written by a female pastor in California. This pastor, Jennifer, told the stories of her colleagues who have been harassed in church, some have been harassed by congregation members and others have been harassed by congregation leaders. It was a reminder to me that, unfortunately, sexual assault and domestic violence happen everywhere.
Maybe along with declaring, “Me too,” we should stand up to say, “Here too!” It happens in our churches. It happens in our schools. It happens at parties. It happens at work. Unfortunately, it may feel like there is no safe place to turn to, because everywhere people are being assaulted. But I don’t want you to feel unsafe. Even if it is Halloween in a week, I don’t want you constantly looking over your shoulder wondering when something bad will happen. Instead, I want you to first, recognize it happens everywhere, and it’s not your fault. If you’ve been abused, please don’t add to your pain by retracing your steps and just thinking if I hadn’t have gone there… If I hadn’t gone to that party, if I hadn’t gone to his apartment, if I hadn’t gone on that date… It happens everywhere. You are not at fault. There are people who believe you, hear you and care about you. Seek help, and find peace.
Second, I want you to recognize it happens everywhere! If something looks or feels out of place and inappropriate, it definitely might be. Don’t just think because you’re at church, at school, at work or at a friends house that you’re safe. Logan is not a big city. It is a generally safe town, but Logan and Cache Valley are not immune to violence. Please don’t be nervous to walk outside your front doors, but please don’t be oblivious to people’s safety, and don’t just assume we’re safe because we’re in Logan or we’re with friends or we’re at a university sanctioned event. Unfortunately, abuse happens everywhere. It happens in our homes, which seem like they should be the safest places possible. For this reason, we have a responsibility to educate ourselves on signs of violence, and realize how we can stand up for those who we think might be in danger. In that vein, Loveisrespect.org has warning signs and resources for helping a child, a co-worker, a friend, an acquaintance, etc. utilize these resources, and help stop abuse.
#MeToo showed us the prevalence of sexual assault within our communities. Hopefully, thinking about #HereToo can help us realize our role in both not blaming victims of abuse, and helping those in need. Abuse happens everywhere, but kindness and hope are kindled everywhere as well.
Thank you to all who have supported CAPSA.
Thank you, Gail
At the beginning of October, Gail Weinshenker stepped down from the CAPSA Board. A tremendous force for good, we want to thank her for the indescribable amount of service she has given to CAPSA throughout the years.
In 2016, Weinshenker’s gift of $100,000 allowed CAPSA to
move forward with it’s plans to renovate and expand it’s therapy services and children’s center.
A constant supporter of CAPSA, many employees remember her for her generosity, and her willingness to give whatever she could to CAPSA.
“She donated hand-made purses, large pillows with hand-made pillow cases, clothing, and just so much of her time and her heart to CAPSA,” Katie Stringham, CAPSA’s Development Support Coordinator said.
Along with giving to CAPSA, Weinshenker has improved the lives of students at Utah State University and members of the Cache Valley Center of the Arts’, through her donations of artifacts and money to both organizations.
Learn more of Gail’s giving nature through the following articles:
Major gift helps CAPSA develop needed therapy area and children’s center
Great Chair-ity Challenge decorates sidewalks of Main Street
USU College of Science Honors Scholars, Donors at Fall Convocation
CAPSA expands into Rich County
Citizens Against Physical and Sexual Abuse is recognized by state and federal authorities as the domestic violence, sexual assault and rape recovery center for Rich County. However, due to limited resources, prior to 2017, this meant citizens of Rich County had to travel to Logan for services.
The distance between Rich County and CAPSA’s emergency shelter is greater than 70 miles, and it takes more than an hour and a half to drive to.
Knowing this, CAPSA Executive Director, Jill Anderson decided to expand services to Rich County.
“It takes a tremendous amount of courage to leave an abusive relationship,” Anderson said. “I don’t want people hesitating to leave because shelter is too far away.”
CAPSA began its expansion into the county by educating middle and high school students on healthy relationships and how to prevent bullying.
“Education plays a huge role in ending abuse,” CAPSA’s Prevention Education Coordinator, Shellie Lusk said. “Many teenagers don’t know how to react to violence because no one’s ever taught them what to do when they see it or who to talk to.”
In addition to educating students, CAPSA has assigned a full-time caseworker, Allie Leezer, to Rich County.
To date, Leezer has assisted two individuals with protective orders and finding safe housing. She hopes to assist more residents as they become increasingly familiar with CAPSA and its mission.
“Sometimes it’s scary when you have to contact a caseworker,” Leezer said. “No one ever wants to make that phone call, but I hope the community can begin to see how we are aiding families in need, and we’re helping people live lives free of abuse and fear.”
If you or a loved one has experienced domestic abuse or sexual assault, call CAPSA at (435) 753-2500. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
CAPSA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to ending abuse. It provides free confidential therapy and shelter services to those in need, and it has a 24-hour hotline where individuals experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault can call to receive services.
Contacts:
Katie Stringham, Development Support Coordinator, katie@capsa.org, 435-753-2500
Allie Leezer, Rural/Rich Caseworker, allie@capsa.org, 435-753-2500
# # #