Sexual Assault

Catalyst Expands Services to Support Survivors of Sexual Assault!

Catalyst is deeply honored to announce a significant expansion of our services. Starting October 1, 2023, we are taking a bold and necessary step to include sexual assault services for Butte and Glenn Counties. This authorization comes from the California Office of Emergency Services and allows us to fill an unmet need in our community, while addressing the intersection between domestic violence and sexual assault head-on.

What Does This Mean for Our Community?

We are committed to providing vital support to our community members in this crucial area. Survivors of both domestic violence and sexual assault can now turn to Catalyst for immediate, confidential, and healing-centered support.

Why This Expansion?

The need for comprehensive and consistent services for sexual assault survivors in Butte and Glenn Counties has been apparent in recent years, as confirmed by law enforcement and medical professionals. We are committed to filling this crucial gap in response, accompaniment, and advocacy services.

Why Catalyst?

Our extensive experience in providing efficient and effective services for survivors of intimate partner violence have uniquely positioned us for this expansion. We have a proven history of offering survivor-centered and trauma-informed crisis intervention services.

Collaborative Development:

Our goal is to be fully operational by January 2024 in Butte County. During the first year in Glenn County, we will collaborate closely with our partners to develop a seamless response plan for survivors, ensuring that forensic exams, accompaniment, advocacy, and follow-up services are readily available.

Our Services for Sexual Assault Survivors Will Include:

• 24-hour accompaniment services to Enloe Medical Center and Oroville Hospital, Butte and Glenn County police departments and sheriff’s offices, Butte and Glenn District Attorney’s Offices, Butte and Glenn County Victim Assistance Bureaus, Butte and Glenn County Courthouses, and other community agencies as indicated by the needs of the survivor;
• 24-hour advocacy services to partners supporting survivors;
• A 24-hour hotline for crisis counseling and direct services;
• In-person counseling (both individual and support group therapy) in English and Spanish by licensed and pre-licensed therapists;
• Culturally relevant community education programs;
• Continued leadership in the multidisciplinary Butte County Sexual Assault Response Team, and collaboration with Glenn County to determine how to support a multidisciplinary approach for its survivors;
• Collaborative services with Chico State and Butte College.

Our Commitment:

Our commitment remains strong—we will continue to reduce the incidence of intimate partner violence through crisis intervention, community education, and the promotion of healthy relationships. Now, we extend this commitment to addressing sexual assault as well. Our primary focus is ensuring survivors can access and receive the support they need, from immediate assistance to long-term healing. We are determined to reduce the incidence of sexual violence and intimate partner violence in our community through prevention outreach and education.

Catalyst, originally founded in 1977, has come a long way from its beginnings as a safe haven for women and children fleeing violent homes. Today, we are a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation administered by a dedicated board of directors. We are now the sole certified provider of crisis intervention services for all survivors of intimate partner violence and their children in Butte County, as well as survivors of sexual assault in both Butte and Glenn Counties.