Frequently Asked Questions
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General Questions
You can donate safely and securely via PayTrace by clicking here. You can make a one time or recurring monetary donation instantly. If you are interested in other ways to contribute to Catalyst go to our Donor page or call our Executive Director at 530.343.7711.
Please review our HAVEN Wish List for items we are always accepting. We also have an Amazon Smile Wish List, where you can purchase new items and have items mailed directly to us. We have limited storage capacity to accept other items. Please give us a call at 343-7711 to see if we have the ability to accept your donation.
For clothing donations not included in our HAVEN Wish List, we would like to refer you to our partner agencies, The Arc Store (343-3666) and Show Love Thrift (892-9198). We have an agreement with these organizations that allows our participants to shop for free based upon an individual’s specific needs. Please notify them that you are making the donation on behalf of Catalyst.
We know that you want to be able to help those in your community affected by domestic violence. In order to do that you need to know how to properly empower those affected. Since all of our services are confidential, our volunteers need to complete a 40 hour state mandated Domestic Violence Crisis Intervention Counselor training. Please call our Volunteer Program Coordinator at 343-7798 or visit our Volunteer Page to learn more.
If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors, please contact the Executive Director at 343-7711. For inquiries about other ways to volunteer please contact 343-7711 to speak to any staff member.
Yes. We recognize and respect each individual’s unique path in life with compassion and an open mind, and we know that domestic and sexual violence do not discriminate. We are committed to understanding the unique needs and dynamics of all relationships, including those of individuals who identify as part of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Queer, and Questioning community. Catalyst staff and volunteers receive training to better understand the dynamics and specific barriers faced by LGBTQ+ community members. We are also proud to welcome people who identify within the LGBTQ+ community to our staff.
No. Catalyst focuses solely on providing services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Couple counseling is not offered because it can be ineffective and potentially dangerous in cases of domestic violence. Survivors may face risks such as further abuse or manipulation during sessions. Additionally, some counselors may not adequately recognize signs of abuse or may unintentionally reinforce the abuser’s behavior, leading to victim-blaming or inappropriate treatment. Our priority is to provide specialized support and resources to survivors in a safe and empowering environment.
No. Our services are only for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Local options for Batterers Intervention Programs include Chris Cox Counseling.
It can be. Not all abuse is physical. Intimate partner violence is a deliberate and escalating pattern of abuse in which one partner in a significant or intimate relationship attempts to exercise power and maintain control over the other partner. Abuse can be emotional, physical, financial, or sexual. If you are still unsure, please see our page on or call 800-895-8476 to speak with one of our helpful and supportive advocates.
People who know someone affected by domestic violence are often unsure how to help. We offer a variety of safe, free and confidential services that give people guidance on how they can support those in need. With the provided resources you will be more equipped to empower the person in your life dealing with abuse. Check out our resources section for more information.
QUICK TIPS:
- Listen to their story and believe them. Offer supportive messages.
- Allow them to make their own choices when possible. Abuse is all about power and control, so allowing them to reclaim the power and control of their lives and make their own decisions can be empowering.
- Stay present in their lives. Abusive partners will often try to isolate their partners from their support systems. Let them know that you will be there when they are ready.
- Be patient. It takes an average of 7 times to permanently leave an abusive partner, and the first 72 hours after leaving can be the most dangerous.
- Encourage the person to think about safety. Safety planning can be an important tool to minimize risk when leaving an abusive relationship. Help the person make concrete plans that deal with the most likely “what ifs.”
- Inform them about local resources. Reach out to Catalyst for support at (800) 895-8476.
Legal Questions
There is no cost for a domestic violence restraining order.
No. The temporary restraining order is not valid until the person to be restrained has been served with the order by an individual over the age of 18 who is not part of the court case. You can choose to have a sheriff serve the restrained party if you like. This initial order will only be valid until your court date where it can be extended by the judge.
You can request to add anyone who lives with you, but you will need to explain within the order why that protection is necessary and the judge will make a determination.
If they choose to appear at court you will see them and if the temporary order is active they will not have the right to speak to you or sit next to you. If needed, you can inform the court officer of the situation when you arrive
You can ask for any combination of things on the Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DV-100) which can be a peaceful contact order (without the stay away order), or can include orders for the other party to stay away and to move out of the home.
Yes. If you cannot make it for some reason, you should call the court clerk’s office and tell them before your hearing starts and they will schedule a new court date for you.
The first step is applying for a 2 Week Temporary Restraining Order. After your court hearing, a restraining order can be granted for any amount of time. The court considers 3 to 5 years to be “permanent” orders. If your order is nearing its expiration date and you are still afraid of the restrained party, you can file an extension one to two months before the expiration date to assure there is no lapse in protection. There doesn’t have to be any new incidents for the Judge to grant your extension.
Get Help Now: (800) 895-8476
Get Training
Sign up for a presentation or training today so you can increase your confidence in supporting those in need.
Access Resources
We offer a variety of safe, free and confidential services that give people guidance on how they can support those in need.
Volunteer
We have many volunteer opportunities for community members who are interested in donating their time to work in Catalyst’s programs.