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Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find answers to our most commonly asked questions. Continue scrolling or use the below buttons to jump to a specific topic.

General

How do I report child sexual abuse?
In the United States, you should report sexual abuse to Child Protective Services (CPS). Their primary goal will be to ensure the long-term safety and well-being of the child. Find the specific agency in your state to report to here. For additional information, check out our blog on reporting child sexual abuse.

What is considered childhood sexual abuse?
Child sexual abuse is when another person (adult, sibling, peer, etc.) forces or coerces a child or teen into sexual activity—physically or non-physically. Physical sexual activity may include fondling genitals, masturbation, oral-genital contact, digital penetration, vaginal intercourse, or anal intercourse.

Non-physical sexual activities are considered sexual abuse because they exploit innocent children and can lead to the same long-term trauma as physical sexual abuse. Non-physical sexual activities may include unhealthy sexual exposure, voyeurism, or sexually explicit imagery (including child pornography).

How prevalent is child sexual abuse?
Gathering data about the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse is challenging, and prevalence rates can vary based on location and definition of child sexual abuse. At Saprea, we cite statistics that come from the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study, a thorough, longitudinal study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Kaiser Permanente focusing on the impact of childhood abuse and neglect. The ACE study found that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys in the United States are sexually abused before the age of 18.

How can I find a therapist for my child?
If your child has been sexually abused, working with a trained clinician is often a key part of healing. Here are some things to consider when selecting a therapist: Do some research. Look for someone who specializes in childhood trauma recovery. There are also practical considerations like finding someone your insurance will cover. Research can take time, but it’s worth it in the long run. Once you’ve selected a potential therapist, schedule an initial meeting. Ideally in the first meeting, you’ll have some one-on-one time with the therapist, then you and your child will talk to the therapist together, and then the therapist will work with your child individually. Try to find a therapist who takes a comprehensive approach to healing and considers the family unit, sleep, mind, body, nutrition, exercise, etc.

Can you provide money or expertise to help me pursue legal action against a perpetrator?
We believe that holding perpetrators accountable for their actions is important. We encourage you to report abuse to appropriate legal authorities and assist in giving any information you have. However, providing money and legal advice is outside the scope of our mission.

My child has been sexually abused. What should I do?
First, we know how overwhelming it can be to find out that your child has been abused. Your response to the situation matters. While we recognize the need for healing services focused on children, we provide resources for parents and caregivers to help children and teens who have been abused heal from the impact of abuse. We also provide resources on our website that focus on the prevention of child sexual abuse such as how to care for your child after sexual abuse and how to support children who have been sexually abused. Be sure to report the abuse to your local authorities. You can also call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1 (800) 4-A-Child for additional support.

If I know or think a child is being sexually abused, what should I do?
Report the abuse—regardless of whether it is confirmed or suspected—to proper authorities. Every state in the United States has some variation of mandatory reporting laws, meaning that you are legally required to report known or suspected sexual abuse. Consult these summaries of state laws to find out what your obligations are. You can also call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline 1 (800) 4-A-Child for additional support and guidance.

How can I support a survivor I know?
A strong support system can play a key role in a survivor’s healing journey, but you might struggle to know exactly how you can be most helpful. We offer supporter resources on our website that will help you 1) understand the effects of sexual abuse on a survivor, 2) have a better understanding of the traumatized brain and how a survivor may interpret things differently than you, and 3) some practical skills you can use to support a survivor in their healing journey.


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Retreat

Who qualifies to participate in the retreat?
Any adult woman who was sexually abused at or before age 18 is eligible to participate in the Saprea Retreat. Participants must be able to safely live in a social environment for four days with a group of other survivors and abstain from drugs and alcohol without withdrawals. The retreat is specifically designed to serve women who experienced trauma but who are functioning well across multiple areas in their lives.

The Saprea Retreat is not a crisis intervention program. We encourage women who are struggling with significant untreated mental health symptoms, active drug and alcohol addiction, or homelessness to seek professional help from other sources prior to applying.

How much does the retreat cost?
Due to the generosity of our founders and donors, survivors participate in the Saprea Retreat for free (includes food, lodging, and services). Participants are responsible for travel to and from the pick-up locations for the in-person experience.

Where does the in-person portion of retreat take place?
The Saprea Retreat is hosted in Utah in a serene canyon in the Wasatch Mountain range of northern Utah.

What if my abuse happened at age 18? Can I still apply?
Yes. Any adult woman who was sexually abused at or before age 18 is eligible to attend the Saprea Retreat.

I’m a medical/mental health professional. Are your services right for my client?
The Saprea Retreat is a psychoeducational program for adult female survivors of childhood/adolescent sexual abuse which occurred at or before the age of 18. The retreat consists of a four-day, in-person experience followed by a self-directed online course. The purpose of the Saprea Retreat is to create an opportunity for survivors to build community, provide education related to the effects of childhood sexual trauma, and facilitate experiential activities to address the impacts of trauma on the brain and body. Participation in the education and activities is optional but highly encouraged. Participants are not required to discuss their abuse.

This retreat is specifically designed to serve women who, despite their trauma, are functioning well across multiple areas of their lives. A prospective retreat participant may be working, raising a family, and contributing to her community. Despite these successes, she is still affected by what happened in her past. Due to the generosity of our founders and donors, the retreat is free. Participants are responsible for the costs of traveling to and from the retreat property.

The Saprea Retreat is NOT a crisis intervention or treatment program and therapy is NOT provided. Each application is carefully screened to determine if the retreat is the right fit, or right timing, for an applicant. The Saprea Retreat is not a replacement for therapeutic services. A Saprea therapist or registered nurse may reach out to an applicant’s therapist or physician for a collateral contact to gather more information about the applicant’s readiness to attend the retreat.

If you would like further information, please contact Sarah Burton at 435-271-9766 or sburton@saprea.org.

Do you offer a retreat for survivors of other genders of childhood sexual abuse? What resources are available?
We understand that child sexual abuse impacts people of every sex and gender identity, and our leadership team has ongoing discussions to review what we can do to make retreat more inclusive. We want to ensure that when we are able to expand our services, we can do so in a way that is both sustainable and responsible. At this time, our services and resources at the Saprea Retreat are for cisgender women (persons assigned female at birth who currently identify as female) and non-binary persons assigned female at birth. However, we are working to obtain funding for additional programs.
Our Online Healing Resources provide useful information for any survivor of sexual abuse.

What is the timeframe for attending the retreat?
Once someone fills out an application on the website, they will receive an email within 24 business hours to schedule a call with one of the members of the Clinical Intake Team members. On the call, the applicant will have an option to ask questions about the retreat and talk about if now is the best time to attend the retreat.

How much notice will I have to schedule a retreat?
Once you Once you have completed your call with the member of the Clinical Intake Team, and now is the best time to attend the retreat, you will receive an email to see what dates are available to attend the retreat.

Can I attend the retreat with a family member/friend?
No, in order to promote individual healing, Saprea asks that family members, friends, coworkers, etc., of participants DO NOT schedule their retreat together. While it’s important to have support and camaraderie among the survivors in your life, the Saprea Retreat focuses on the value of your personal healing journey and wants to ensure you, as an individual, will receive the most from your experience.

Is the retreat confidential?
Yes, Saprea will never share your personal information with anyone outside our organization, its directors, officers, agents, employees, or volunteers without your prior consent. All information gathered from the participant will be kept strictly confidential.

What will I be doing during the in-person portion of retreat?
Every day, attendees can choose to participate in a variety of activities designed to meet three objectives:

  1. Education: Courses are available that help survivors understand the impact of trauma, develop strategies to heal from trauma, and use tools to overcome self-defeating and unhealthy behaviors.
  2. Experience: The Saprea Retreat provides experiential activities that address the effects of trauma on the brain and body. These include yoga, Muay Thai, and mindfulness activities.
  3. Community: The Saprea Retreat offers a space for developing a community with other survivors. Feelings of support, validation, and understanding are invaluable to healing from trauma.

All activities are optional but highly encouraged. Participants are not required to discuss the details of their abuse.

What will I be doing during the online course portion of retreat?
The online course builds on the experiences you have during the in-person portion of retreat. The online course has two main elements:

  1. Self-directed courses: These courses are designed to deepen your understanding of healing topics and give you opportunities to apply healing tools in your day-to-day life.
  2. Live classes: These classes give you an opportunity to both deepen your knowledge and continue connecting with a supportive community of other survivors who are participating in retreat.

How does the retreat help survivors?
The goal of the retreat is to empower survivors with specific understanding and skills that make healing more likely. For most, healing takes a significant amount of time, which is why we often refer to it as a healing journey. Researchers at two major universities have published findings of the effectiveness of our retreats and found that, on average, participants experience a 37% reduction of post-traumatic stress symptoms, and see a 45% improvement in levels of life satisfaction. Interviews conducted by 60 Decibels, a global research firm, found that 91% of retreat participants reported significant, lasting, and positive transformation in their lives.

What do I need to bring to the retreat?
As part of the application process, you will receive information about what to bring.

Will I be able to work during the in-person portion of retreat?
No. While we do not put restrictions on participants’ use of electronic devices, we strongly encourage everyone to disconnect.

Can I nominate someone else to participate in the retreat?
No. We are unable to accept nominations or applications from loved ones. Due to the confidentiality of our application process, we require that each individual submit their own application for the retreat.

Do you offer therapy during the retreat?
No. Rather than providing therapy, the focus of the retreat is on delivering healing education and services specifically designed to help survivors learn tools they can use to manage the impact of trauma in their day-to-day lives. Our resources page offers information on finding a therapist.

Will I be sharing a room with someone else?
Yes. You will be sharing a room with 2–3 other participants. We will make every effort to ensure each room has comfortable space and each room has it’s own bathroom.

Will my meals be provided while I’m at the retreat location?
Yes. Due to generous donations from our donors, all of your meals will be provided. Our culinary team works hard to have the freshest ingredients and nutritious meals to promote mindful eating. Some meals are served in a buffet-style so you are empowered to choose what you would like to eat. Although not guaranteed, we do our best to accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions. For example, we can accommodate for medically diagnosed allergies such as Celiac disease. We cannot accommodate for food or diet preferences.

Will there be Wi-Fi and cell phone service at the retreat location?
No, there is no cell phone service or internet access at the retreat. There is a landline available, so you are able to reach out to your loved ones at home. We will also provide you with a phone number if someone needs to get a hold of you.

Can I bring my emotional support animal?
No. We do not allow emotional support, comfort, or companion animals at the retreat locations. Saprea permits service dogs that are trained to perform a specific task for the benefit of a disabled person. For further information about our service animal policy, please speak with our Clinical Intake Team.

Are you associated with a religion?
No, Saprea hosts free, secular, educational retreats in Utah. We are not a religious organization.

Will I be expected to share my story during the retreat?
No. We will never ask you to share the story of your abuse at any point. Some participants may choose to share, but it is completely up to each individual. If a participant chooses to share, we ask that they share headlines and not details of the abuse.

When is the retreat?
We host the retreat year-round. The in-person experience starts on Monday and ends on Thursday.


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Healing Webinar

Can I attend both the retreat and the healing webinar?
Yes, we encourage you to attend the healing webinar first. If you would like to attend after the retreat, we will ask that you wait 6 months so you can complete the online course.

What happens in the webinar? During the webinar, a clinician and co-teacher present on a variety of topics related to trauma and healing. They share videos, lead discussions, provide resources, and guide participants through mindfulness activities. Attendees have the opportunity to share comments and questions, engage in grounding techniques, and join break-out sessions with fellow participants.

When is the webinar?


We host the webinar approximately 3–4 times a month and schedule them at different times throughout the work week. Each webinar is 4.5 hours (with 10–15-minute breaks throughout).

How interactive is the webinar? A central part of the webinar is building connections with others who have experienced similar traumas. This is why we strongly encourage cameras being turned on, questions and comments being shared, and participation in small-group discussions with other survivors.


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Support Groups

What additional resources are available to heal from sexual abuse?
In addition to the Saprea Retreat, we also provide program materials for Saprea Support Groups which are survivor-led groups that enable survivors to connect with and heal alongside survivors in their own communities. Attending a Saprea Support Group is free. There may be a minimal cost for materials if you would like your own copy. Materials can also be used electronically or downloaded at saprea.org. Participants must be 18 years old, female, and must have experienced sexual abuse as a child or adolescent (at or before the age of 18).

We also offer online resources that are designed specifically for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and their supporters. Our resources cover a variety of topics and tools designed to help you heal and navigate your day-to-day life.

What can I expect at my first Saprea Support Group meeting?
Meetings are typically 60–90 minutes long. There will be two group leaders who will read from a script while participants follow along. During the meeting, you will be introduced to the purpose statement and meeting guidelines of the group, participate in a check-in, learn about a healing strategy, have the opportunity to share, and finish with a grounding exercise.

Do the Saprea Support Groups involve therapy?
No. Therapy, both individual and group, focuses on exploration of past trauma and processing the experiences that have resulted. It requires a licensed clinician to process and facilitate these interventions. In contrast, the purpose of the Saprea Support Groups is to provide survivors with a safe environment where they can experience a sense of community and learn healthy, effective coping techniques to further their healing.

What’s the difference between a Saprea Support Group and giving advice?
One of the meeting guidelines states that “we don’t give advice, only support.” The difference in giving support versus advice is perspective. When we give advice, we make suggestions on how someone should act. We give our perspective on their experience. When we offer emotional support, we try to understand someone’s experience from their perspective, without trying to influence it. We show support by expressing appreciation for sharing, offering encouragement, and simply listening. We don’t give advice.

How do I stay connected to my Saprea Support Group or get updates?
Each group determines the best way for members to communicate. Some groups create Facebook pages, some groups have a text list, etc. Check with your group leader to make sure that you are part of the communication process.

How do I know the Saprea Support Group meetings will be safe?
Safety is the primary focus of Saprea Support Groups. We understand the importance of feeling safe in moving forward on your healing journey. We keep the meetings safe by following a meeting script and upholding the meeting guidelines. At each meeting, there will be two group leaders who help maintain structure and monitor the group for safety concerns.

Are the support groups confidential?
One of our meeting guidelines focuses on confidentiality. It states, “We maintain confidentiality by using only our first names and not divulging what happens during our meetings, even to our families or significant others.”

How do I start a support group in my community?
If you are interested in becoming a potential group leader or want to learn more, visit our potential group leaders FAQs.


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Donations

How are donations to Saprea used?
Our most recent independent audit shows that nearly 80% of our annual budget is spent on program services. Services include everything that is provided at the Saprea Retreat to participants (food, accommodations, materials, etc.), along with support resources that are created and posted on our website. Donations also fund our education and awareness campaigns, and education and outreach focused on preventing child sexual abuse.

What percentage of Younique sales go to Saprea?
Younique generously donates 10% of profits to Saprea as part of their ongoing pledge to fight for the eradication of child sexual abuse and its effects. We are very thankful that Younique willingly supports our organization.

How can I fundraise for Saprea?
First, thank you for your interest in fundraising. The best and easiest way to fundraise is to set up a page through our fundraising platform, Classy. Learn more about a variety of ways you can donate or fundraise for Saprea here.

Can I donate on behalf of others?
We're happy to accept donations on behalf of someone else. When you donate, please indicate whom you would like to honor with your donation.

Where should I mail donations?
Please mail donations to Saprea at: 4101 N Thanksgiving Way, Suite 100, Lehi, UT 84043.

Can our organization partner with Saprea?
We are always interested in working with like-minded organizations. We evaluate the potential to partner on a case-by-case basis. If you are interested in partnering with Saprea, please send us an email at questions@saprea.org and tell us a little bit about how you think our organizations can partner together.

What should I do if I’m having an issue with a merchandise order placed in your online store?
You can email our Community Care team at questions@saprea.org.

How do I cancel my recurring donation?
You can email our Community Care team at questions@saprea.org.