About Us
CAASA’s Mission Is to Heal the Wounds of Sexual Assault & Abuse
At the Center Against Abuse and Sexual Assault (CAASA), we believe that every survivor of sexual violence deserves to heal and thrive.
We are a dedicated team of professionals and volunteers committed to ending sexual violence in Iowa. Our mission is to provide comprehensive support services to survivors of all ages, advocate for policy change to combat sexual violence and human trafficking and educate our communities to prevent future harm. We provide assistance programs and sexual violence prevention education services across the following 19 counties in Iowa: Buena Vista, Calhoun, Carroll, Cherokee, Clay, Crawford, Dickinson, Emmet, Ida, Lyon, Monona, O'Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sac, Sioux, and Woodbury.
How CAASA Helps Heal Survivors and Prevent Sexual Violence in Iowa
- 24/7 Crisis Hotline: Our confidential HopeLine provides a compassionate listening ear available around the clock. Our trained and passionate crisis counselors offer emotional support and connect callers with the resources they need, from immediate intervention by Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART) to ongoing help in the healing journey at moments of high stress or crisis.
- Advocacy Services: Personalized support and guidance throughout the legal and healing process. Our victim advocates accompany survivors to medical appointments, and legal proceedings, and help take some of the burden off victims as they heal and navigate various processes.
- Counseling Services: Trauma-informed therapy to help survivors, their friends, and family members recover and rebuild their lives. We understand how sexual violence impacts everyone, and we are here to help. We provide counseling for every stage of your healing journey, including immediate crisis counseling, as well as long-term counseling for those impacted by sexual violence.
- Prevention Education: Programs designed to empower individuals and communities to prevent sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and sexual assault.
- Immediate & Ongoing Resources for Survivors: We assist survivors to ensure they have the security and safety they need during the healing process. Our housing support options range from immediate safe haven shelter housing options to rent assistance for survivors getting back on their feet. We also help provide travel assistance and food assistance to help survivors get to important appointments and avoid the stress of food insecurity as they heal.
Board of Directors
Alex Leu, President
Pocahontas, IA
Chief of Police Pocahontas County
Ben Meyer, Secretary
Laurens, IA
Lawyer
Brenda Tiefenthaler
Spencer, IA
President/CEO of Spencer Hospital
Cori Koopman
South Sioux City, NE
Vice President of University Advancement at Briarcliff University
Jen Dau
Lake Park, IA
Vice President of Nursing at Spencer Hospital
Jordan Achterhoff
Spirit Lake, IA
Director of Wound Healing, Hyperbaric Medicine, and Diabetes at Spencer Hospital
Sara Taylor
Okoboji, IA
Director of Foundation & Community Outreach at Spencer Hospital
How You Can Help CAASA in Its Mission to Combat Sexual Violence:
- Charitable Donations: Your tax-deductible financial support, the contribution of items off our wish list, or donations to our New Leaf thrift store enable us to provide essential services and expand our reach.
- Volunteer: Share your time and talents at CAASA or its New Leaf thrift store to make a difference in the lives of survivors and help end sexual violence in our Iowa communities.
- Spread Awareness: Follow us on social media, spread our message, and encourage others to support our mission. Combating sexual violence in our communities benefits us all, and with your help, we can live in a better, safer world for all.