In crisis, it’s natural to panic, with no idea where to turn. For domestic violence survivors, it’s normal to see no way out, to believe asking for assistance will only make it worse.

CADA can help.

Island County’s Citizens Against Domestic and Sexual Abuse serves residents dealing with domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking. Executive Director Andrea Downs believes that no one should have to face a crisis alone. CADA provides prevention, advocacy and shelter services, and they staff a 24-hour crisis hotline.

Seems like we can all get behind that, right? Seems like our whole community could rally, regardless of political alignment, to prevent domestic violence and care for survivors.

But it turns out, it’s still a struggle.

Turns out, in spite of prevention efforts, Island County still faces its share of domestic and intimate-partner violence. Hundreds of our neighbors use CADA’s services every year.

And it turns out the dollars aren’t always there to serve everyone who needs CADA’s help.

For a vital nonprofit in desperate financial times, its executive director is remarkably calm. Downs has served at CADA’s helm for a little over a year. Soon after taking the reins, she got shocking news: federal funding from VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) will go away as of July 2025. That, combined with ARPA funds expiring, totals $300,000, a third of CADA’s annual budget.

Downs knows she’ll have to get creative, find new revenue sources, and mete out those dollars wisely. She’ll need to staff the help lines, continue advocacy and professional services and provide shelter for domestic violence survivors and their families.

How does a woman with 20 years of professional experience in special education end up running a shoestring nonprofit, advocating for survivors?

“I was traveling too much from my home on South Whidbey,” Downs remembered. She had passion for her work, but needed a change. So, “when CADA inquired, I was interested.”

Downs’ job requires a unique skill set, and she loves the challenges it brings. It’s a mix of hard analytics and compassion. On the management side, she faces complex requirements of grants and constant scrutiny from regulators. At the same time, she carries with her every detail of traumas experienced by the survivors that she and CADA staff care for.

“Choose the red pill,” she said, “experience reality, and, once your eyes are open, there are things you can’t ever unsee. Or take the blue pill, and live in denial. There are people here who still believe ‘domestic violence doesn’t happen in MY community.’ But it’s all around us.”

Why?

Downs listed a few roots of violence, gleaned from her work with survivors and abusers.

“There’s a sense of powerlessness, a need to be in control, that leads to anxiety and makes some abusers express it by lashing out.” There’s no simple answer, she said, citing our need for more behavioral health services.

Downs said many of us still cling to an ongoing dilemma of patriarchy. “Patriarchy says men need to be in control, it’s their world, real men have power.” And when men are challenged, or find that ideal unreachable, some turn to violence.

Men get abused in relationships too. But, in another twist on patriarchy, they tend not to seek help. “I’ve heard it many times,” says Downs. “‘I’m six foot eight. Who would believe me?’ But we do. We believe you. We don’t judge here.”

CADA barely survived COVID-19, when social distancing made it extra challenging to provide services. In the last grant year, CADA came back to serve 218 clients in all levels of service, including 17 families in shelters.

That need has kept growing. In fact, said Downs, exactly 218 more clients were served in just the past six months, effectively doubling their numbers.

“Our services are fully client-determined,” she said. “We let clients tell us what they need, and we help them write that sentence.” That means opening doors to services from counseling to law enforcement to temporary shelter.

“Whatever situation they’re in, we want people to feel like reaching out to us is a step in the right direction.”

CADA has a crucial mission advocating for survivors. But how can we work to prevent domestic violence and sexual abuse in the first place? A great example is CADA’s role in Whidbey schools’ Sexual Health Education curriculum.

“It’s age-appropriate. We talk with the youngest kids about healthy friendships, how we should treat each other, how we establish boundaries and prevent bullying, and what to do when our boundaries are broken.”

Is it effective? While we’ll never know about the incident that didn’t happen, statistics consistently verify that communities that provide comprehensive sexual health education experience lower rates of abuse, teen pregnancy and STDs.

Downs sees the best side of our island, too.

“The work is hard, but there is incredible beauty here. People support us, each with their unique gifts and skills, discretely if need be.” And she appreciates support from other leaders here. “Good leaders advocate for what’s right. They encourage mentorship and partnership. They adapt to changes, and face up to challenges even when they realize there isn’t always a solution.”

Asked for an example, Downs said Langley Mayor Kennedy Horstman exemplifies those crucial traits. Horstman, flattered, gave props right back to Downs. “Andrea possesses compassion, courage and competence that make her a stellar leader. While she is always courteous, she is also direct and pragmatic, which is challenging in an open public forum, but critical when peoples’ safety is at issue.”

Sounds like there’s more to that story. Sounds like Downs isn’t shy when it comes time to stand strong for CADA’s clients. Which is exactly what CADA needs.

Downs sees a bright future, with solid and reliable resources for CADA to grow its services. She sees a stronger presence on Camano Island, enhanced shelter including services for men and dispersed shelter systems that can aid more people.

A year ago, a new opportunity came to Downs on a phone call out of left field. It was a great move for her, and a brilliant path forward for Island County.

If you are in crisis, CADA can help. Call the 24/7 hotline: 360-675-7168.

Find more about CADA here: cadacanhelp.org

Support CADA’s mission with a donation here: cadacanhelp.org/donate

William Walker’s monthly “Take a Breath” column seeks paths to unity on Whidbey Island in a time of polarization. Walker lives near Oak Harbor and is an amateur author of four unpublished novels, hundreds of poems and a stage play. He blogs occasionally at playininthedirt.com.