AA and recovery institutions have impacted the lives of millions of people facing active addiction. Lauren Chooljian, host of The 13th Step, says "This is why it’s hard to have a conversation about any wrongdoing in any part of the addiction world. Why it’s hard to talk openly about sexual misconduct and 13th stepping. But if we don’t talk about sexual misconduct, unhealthy boundaries – any of it – then we’re never going to stop people from doing it." Episode 4 explores issues in oversight, accountability, and the foundation of recovery for many people: Alcoholics Anonymous. Lauren says, "One of the biggest critiques that is thrown at the 12 steps is that it has always struggled to make real room for women. This is a program that was developed by white men and for white men." Lauren goes on to say, "research has shown that women with substance use disorders are more likely than men to have experienced sexual or physical abuse – or have experienced or witnessed abuse as a child. And yet, the 12 steps don’t address trauma at all." ✅ "The 13th Step" is available on all streaming platforms. https://lnkd.in/gG4KJKEB
The Blue Bench
Non-profit Organizations
Ending sexual assault through prevention and care.
About us
Our hope is to one day live in a world where sexual assault no longer exists; where there are no more victims, friends and families suffering in its wake. This is our hope. This is what inspires our efforts. And until that day comes, our work is not complete. Inspired by the courage of one another – as survivors, activists, advocates and community leaders, The Blue Bench has helped hundreds of thousands of Denver-area women and men find the courage to move from victim to survivor. Mission Statement At The Blue Bench, our mission is to eliminate sexual assault and diminish the impact i has on individuals, their loved ones and our community through comprehensive issue advocacy, prevention and care. Prevention Programs Sexual assault is a community issue that demands a community response – through prevention and education, issue advocacy and a shift in how we think and talk about sexual violence. We offer a Pathway to Prevention, a series of prevention and education programs that build and mature with the individual, from youth to adult. Each stage offers developmentally-appropriate content and is designed to engage, empower and educate through social context. Survivor Services From the earliest moments after sexual assault, through medical and legal logistics, to counseling for long-term emotional and functional health, The Blue Bench provides support every step of the way. Our Continuum of Care, led by our professional Care Team, allows victims, their families and friends to come to us and be heard, believed and supported, regardless when the sexual assault occurred. We help navigate the system, accompany and support survivors throughout the process. All of our survivor services are available to people of all gender identities from ages 13 on. The goal of our programs and services is to help you establish a sense of empowerment, self-sufficiency and self-certainty through counseling and support.
- Website
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http://www.thebluebench.org
External link for The Blue Bench
- Industry
- Non-profit Organizations
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 1983
- Specialties
- Sexual Assault Counseling, Sexual Assault Prevention, and 24-Hour Sexual Assault Hotline
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
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Get directions
Denver, Colorado 80218, US
Employees at The Blue Bench
Updates
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We are so grateful to have passionate advocates like Ashley O'Day on our team! Thank you for your hard work and dedication, Ashley 💙
This August marks eight years since I began volunteering with The Blue Bench—I started volunteering as a Sexual Assault Prevention Specialist at 13 years old! Can you believe that it's been so long? The Blue Bench officially hired me at 18 years old. They took a chance on someone so young, and it was the best thing that's ever happened to me. It's been an incredible journey filled with the most amazing mentors. I want to give a massive shoutout to Libby Anderson, Roshini Kumar, and Susie Roman. They all played a significant role in my personal and professional development. They took me under their wing and helped create the advocate I am today. They watched me grow up and sparked my passion for advocacy. At 21, I'm a full-time Victim Advocate at Family Tree's Roots of Courage and will soon begin my dual MSW/JD program! Time flies!
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Join our team and make a difference in a survivor's life! Explore job openings at The Blue Bench 💙 https://lnkd.in/guNmMZA #denverjobs #denvercareers #nonprofitlife
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Meet Kathy O'Conner! Kathy is a RISE 2024 participant and volunteer at The Blue Bench. Throughout August, Kathy will be donating a portion of sales from select artwork back to The Blue Bench's mission and vital services! Kathy explores abstract, expressionist and intuitive styles in her artwork. She says "my life experience gives me a wealth of inspiration... Love and loss, fried and joy - for myself and others." Explore Kathy's artwork: https://lnkd.in/gHu9BGw4
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In episode 3 of The 13th Step, host Lauren Chooljian details the very real and scary experience of speaking out against powerful people. After Lauren published her article on Eric's alleged assaults in March 2022, Eric and his team of lawyers took intense action. Lauren speaks with Lisa Banks, an employment and civil rights attorney in D.C, who says Eric's tactics were clear: Step one: Use legal threats to intimidate (e.g. litigation letters to all of Lauren's sources). Step two: Use that pressure to get what they want. Lisa says, "If they can start picking off the witnesses one by one, pretty soon their case gets better and better and your story looks thinner and thinner." A month after the story comes out, April 2022, Lauren says "everything gets more… personal. To say the least." Lauren's parents house, NHPR News Director Dan Berrick, and the house her and her husband rented four years ago were vandalized in similar fashion: the C word spray painted on their house, a brick through a window. Then, Lauren's house. "On the front of our house, in big capital letters, the words “JUST THE BEGINNING!” with an exclamation point were spray-painted in red underneath the shattered living room window." Lauren says, "But in my first conversation with Elizabeth, the former client, she reminded me that despite all the very real risks, there is a bigger purpose here: [Elizabeth]: If I can do anything to, like, make at least, like, one treatment center better, I'm happy to do that." ✅ "The 13th Step" is available on all streaming platforms. https://lnkd.in/gf7kdruf
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Cuts to critical #VOCA funding will impact a survivor trying to access services after a traumatic time in their life. Crime victim services are essential to mitigating the impact of crime on individuals and communities. This is a #Crisis4Victims Learn more from Anne DePrince, Ph.D., a distinguished professor of psychology at the University of Denver: https://lnkd.in/gw8aV_ak
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Today is the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Today, we recognize Judy Heumann, a trailblazer for disability rights ♿ Thanks to the work of Judy and millions of people with disability, the passage of the ADA, guarantees employees with disabilities access to the same benefits and resources, such as employment💼 and transportation 🚌, as people without disabilities. The ADA legally requires all rape crisis centers to provide services to people with disabilities. The disability community experiences one of the highest rates of sexual assault in America and shockingly, this community is hardly included in conversations around sexual violence. Local SARTs and organizations can bolster outreach and enhance services to better meet victims' physical, sensory, and mental needs by expanding partnerships, evaluating agency accessibility, and promoting culturally relevant responses for individuals with disabilities: https://lnkd.in/dYZrY-K
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In episode two of The 13th Step, we take a look into the rise of Eric Spofford from 12-step sponsor to entrepreneur, culminating in 2020 with an exodus of leaders from Granite Recovery Centers, which he was Founder and CEO of. What is shared in episode two highlights Eric's patterns of intimidation, retaliation, and silencing. Lauren, host of The 13th Step, asks, "how do we square these two characters? A man devoted to inspiring and healing others… and a man accused of abusing his power, especially with women." In March of 2022, Lauren published a news story about sexual misconduct allegations against Eric. Her story included Elizabeth, Employee A, and Employee B. Lauren gave Eric a chance to respond, but he refused to answer specific questions about the allegations. Instead, his lawyer sent a statement which goes on to criticize Lauren's sources. Eric’s attorney accused them of deceptive behavior, and says that Eric denies any alleged misconduct. ✅ "The 13th Step" is available on all streaming platforms. https://lnkd.in/gG4KJKEB
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Our SHIELD program is available to all businesses across the Denver Metro! Be a leader in your field by strengthening your company culture by creating safe, equitable spaces 💼
B:CIVIC investor The Blue Bench is advancing safety in the workplace with the launch of SHIELD (Sexual Harassment Intervention, Education, Leadership & Development), a pioneering program designed to equip businesses with the tools and knowledge necessary to create safe, inclusive and respectful work environments. “Workplace harassment training should be more than a formality; it should be a transformative experience that genuinely safeguards employees,” said Megan Carvajal, Executive Director of The Blue Bench. “SHIELD will equip employers and inspire a culture of respect and inspire a culture of respect, dignity and safety for employees across the Metro area.” Learn more about the SHIELD program in the brochure below or visit The Blue Bench's website: https://ow.ly/b8s550SCHU3 #BCIVICinvests
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Living with trauma can feel overwhelming. @RAINN provides some important questions we should ask ourselves throughout our healing journey to help with grounding and our well-being 💙 https://lnkd.in/gN_KsfNZ
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