CASDA Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse, Inc. Valerie Coit Volunteer Coordinator 715/392-3136 or 800/649-2921 val@casda.org 10-23 -03
Mission Statement: To provide supportive services to individuals hurt by domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse as we advocate for a community effort to end violence.
What services and programs does CASDA offer? CASDA 24-hour help phone line, immediate response program, provides transitional housing, sexual assault program services, nonjudgmental support and support groups, domestic violence education services, secondary survivors group services, children's programming, legal services (including guardian ad lid um, custody, and divorce consulting), court watch, outreach services, referrals, advocacy, and volunteer training. .
Whether you know it or not, it's very likely that someone you know has been a victim. Nearly one third of American women report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives. One in six boys will be sexually assaulted by age 18 and one in three girls will be sexually assaulted by age 18. About 75% of the perpetrators are family members. In 2002 CASDA worked with 425 victims of abuse and answered more than 1,500 crisis calls. In Superior 2 or 3 domestic violence calls that lead to arrest are received each day. Victims face a number of barriers including lack of economic resources, loss of friends, religion, worry over the safety of their children, and fear. 85% of the homicides in domestic relationships occurs after the victim leaves. The most dangerous call for the police is a domestic violence dispute.
Most abusers seem to need power and control, are self-centered, and believe in male privilege. Nevertheless, or because of this, abusers often think of themselves as victims. They blame the victims for everything and take no responsibility themselves. It turns out that abusers are often seen as cold emotionally even though they say they love the victim.
Because the only attention victims receive is abuse, victims begin to confuse abuse with being loved. They then do things that get attention and abuse. On the average the victim leaves seven times before the victim leaves permanently. What are the reasons victims stay? They stay for financial reasons, for their children, religious/cultural beliefs, fear, their self-esteem is destroyed, because they are isolated, guilt/shame, they want to help or change the abuser, and because they love the abuser.
The need in this community is great:
	- Lower than average income - Higher than average rate of poverty - Isolation due to rural location - Presence of guns in the house due to popularity of hunting - High rate of alcoholism, which can exacerbate an abuse problem
The Domestic Violence Task Force in Douglas County is part of a national Coordinated Community Response program. It meets monthly and includes law enforcement, the district attorney, victim witness advocates, social workers, Lutheran Social Services, etc. The goal of the Domestic Violence Task Force is to ensure victim safety, hold perpetrators accountable and to find treatment for the perpetrators.
Brochures explaining the services CASDA offers and how to volunteer were distributed in class. Dr. B. has extra copies if you would like one.