Citizens Against Physical, Sexual and Emotional Abuse, Inc. (CAPSEA, Inc.) exists to deal with the problems and concerns of abuse victims in Elk and Cameron counties and with other serious crime victims in Elk and Cameron counties. The program is based on the firm belief that the rights of women, men, and children should be identified, sanctioned, and protected. Citizens Against Physical, Sexual and Emotional Abuse, Inc. of Elk and Cameron counties is committed to the feminist approach of empowerment counseling to all women, men and children who are victims of abuse in Elk and Cameron counties. CAPSEA, Inc. through its feminist approach is committed to:

1. Preventing and/or reducing the effects of physical and emotional abuse to battered women, men, and children by offering temporary shelter and emotional support to present, past and potential victims.
   
   
2. To prevent sexual assault/abuse and alleviate its harmful effects by offering emotional support to past, present and potential victims and shelter, when necessary.
   
   
3. To reduce/prevent the physical and emotional effects of crime to victims by offering emotional support, information and referrals to present, past and potential victims of crime.
   
   
4. To provide services designed to promote the general welfare of women and their families.
   
   
5. CAPSEA, Inc. Board, Staff, and Volunteers shall share the responsibility for helping the public understand the philosophy of CAPSEA, Inc. and to participate in its feminist approach to women and abuse issues.

Citizens Against Physical, Sexual and Emotional Abuse, Inc. (CAPSEA, Inc.) is a non-profit organization that provides a 24 hour hotline, crisis intervention, counseling and ongoing supportive services, shelter, plus transitional and permanent housing options to victims of domestic violence and sexual violence in Elk and Cameron counties. CAPSEA, Inc. also provides services to victims of crime in Elk and Cameron counties in accordance with the Pennsylvania Rights and Services Act. The program was founded in 1977 by a small group of area women who felt that domestic violence and sexual violence issues needed to be addressed in the community. At this time, under the name of the "Elk County Crisis Line," the group of volunteer women provided crisis intervention through their local hotline.

In 1980, The Elk County Crisis Line became incorporated. In 1986, amendments were made to the following: the name was changed to, "Citizens Against Physical, Sexual, and Emotional Abuse, Inc." and the address was changed to, P.O. Box 464, Ridgway, PA 15853.

CAPSEA, Inc. is comprised of a governing Board of Directors. The program employs an Executive Director, Sexual Assault Counselor, Fiscal Officer, Elk County Domestic Violence Counselor/Advocate, Cameron Co. Counselor/Advocate, two Shelter Staff, a Victim/Witness Coordinator, Elk County Homeless Assistance Coordinator, a Community Outreach/Training Coordinator, and a Housing Coordinator for Permanent Housing. Volunteers are the backbone of the CAPSEA, Inc. program. They provide 24 hour hotline coverage, office coverage, counseling, support, transportation, and accompaniment for victims of domestic violence and sexual violence. Volunteers also provide prevention education programs to the general public, area schools, community groups and assist with many other duties.

Funding for CAPSEA, Inc. is received from the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Homeless Assistance Program/Emergency Shelter Grant, Human Services Development Fund, St. Marys United Way, Ridgway United Community Fund, Johnsonburg/Wilcox Community Chest, Federal Emergency Management Association funds, HUD/McKinney Continuum of Care, plus generous donations from area clubs, churches, groups (Ridgway United Community Fund, St. Marys United Way), individuals, organizations and foundations.