CASDA Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse, Inc. Valerie Coit Volunteer Coordinator 715/392-3136 or 800/649-2921 val@casda.org The following are notes from Calerie Coit's presentation to the class last September
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, 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. 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. On the average the victim leaves seven times before the victim leaves permanently.
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