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Cool, clear water and sunshine provide therapy for victims of rape and domestic violence By
Jonas Manuel
The natural splendor of the Snake River in Wyoming offers a form of therapy for victims of rape and domestic violence. / Photo by Jonas Manuel For women who go though traumatic experiences such as rape and domestic violence, counseling is important to help them cope. But is this their only option? No, says Betsy Franchina, rape crisis coordinator for Logan's Community Abuse Prevention Services Agency. "John Noriega started a program which helps these women to release so much built-in anger and pain, through physical and mental challenges," said Franchina. Noriega, a therapist and founder of HITE, was inspired to start the program after a tragic experience in his family. HITE stands for High Impact Teaching Empowerment. Its purpose is to help people release emotional, mental and physical stress through activities such as camping, hiking, rappelling, river rafting and more. "It has proven to be very effective," said Franchina. "Many of the women return back from these trips feeling so much better about themselves, and that in itself is so very worth it." HITE is not designed to solve the problems but rather to help these women cope. Recently HITE went on a river rafting trip on the Snake River in Wyoming. Coasting down the river, participants were able to behold nature around them, including the sight of three American bald eagles. "This is exactly what I needed," said one of the clients. HITE is planning more experiences for the women
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