Learn more about CARE

CARE is based in the best available research evidence about what is helpful to survivors and supporters after sexual assault. CARE was created by adapting an earlier program that was highly effective in reducing survivors’ PTSD and improving supporters’ skills following illness or injury traumas. Two years after getting the earlier program, no survivors had PTSD, compared to 26% of survivors who didn’t have access to the program. We are evaluating this new version of CARE to understand if it is also helpful.

The CARE team has an ongoing commitment to antiracism and recognizing that systems of oppression affect the experiences of survivors and their supporters. As part of this, we have prioritized efforts to ensure that CARE program reflects the needs and priorities of intersectionally diverse identities. So when we created CARE, we partnered with an Inclusivity Advisory Board, comprised of experts in cultural adaptations of trauma treatments, to review all materials and provide feedback. We also invited a diverse group of survivors and supporters to provide feedback, and we revised CARE based on this feedback. We also provide CARE in both English and Spanish.

The CARE team is committed to ensuring that our work centers the needs and priorities of survivors. CARE was created by in partnership with survivors and supporters, who reviewed the program content and gave detailed feedback on ways to make it more survivor-centered. The research study evaluating CARE is guided by a Survivor Advisory Board that meets monthly to review and provide feedback on our procedures. In addition, the study is guided by a Researcher-Practitioner Advisory Board, which is made up of experts in research and clinical practice with survivors.