CAPSA was founded in 1976. In response to several rapes on the campus on Utah State University, a group of parents, students and faculty formed the Cache Valley Rape Crisis Team, which operated a rape support phone line out of Utah State University’s Center for Women. Following the establishment of this support line, Law Enforcement began providing this number to Domestic Violence survivors as well. It became clear that while a support line was helpful, it was imperative to also provide a secure and safe haven for those in immediate danger. To address the needs of victims of sexual and domestic violence, our founders started sheltering women and children in their home and we became Citizens Against Physical and Sexual Abuse, or CAPSA.

From our beginning on campus, CAPSA has grown as the leading nonprofit domestic violence, sexual abuse and rape support center in Utah.