The Blue Bench

In the final episode of The 13th Step, Lauren wraps up her journey with Eric and introduces listeners to LIFT, a trauma-informed recovery center for women.  Eric Spofford's lawsuit against Lauren, NHPR, and her sources was dismissed. Judge St Hilaire said Eric failed to convince the judge that Lauren and her team knowingly or recklessly published falsehoods about him. With this chapter closed, Lauren visits Nikki Bell, founder of LIFT, Life In Freedom Together. "Nikki started LIFT as a support group for any woman who had experienced prostitution. And so often, addiction is a big part of that experience. So is sexual abuse and harassment," said Lauren. "Nikki told me she experienced both in nearly all the spaces that were supposed to be built to help her: Shelters. Food pantries. Treatment Centers." LIFT provides a space for women in recovery to harness their power, support one another, and live without fear of abuse and harassment. ✅ All six episodes of "The 13th Step" along with an epilogue and two updates are available on all streaming platforms.  https://lnkd.in/gG4KJKEB

📬 Event invite ❗ Join us on September 26th for our Community Connection Night 👋 🤝 Meet The Blue Bench team, new friends, neighbors, community leaders, nonprofit professionals, and more. 🧠 Learn more about The Blue Bench's community education, survivor support services, and the important upcoming Prop KK (yesonpropkk.com).

We're looking for a dedicated and creative case manager to join our team! Case managers at The Blue Bench are focused on trauma informed care and what clients want. We follow their lead 🗺️ Clients are able to take back some of their autonomy that was taken from them after being assaulted, which is its own form of justice. When you join our team, you will have opportunities to collaborate across teams and with community partners 🤝 You will regularly utilize and hone creative thinking and problem solving skills, and create your own schedule with clients. Join our team: https://loom.ly/FqQ7TKM

Join our upcoming Someone I Love session on September 21st 💙 Someone I Love is designed for partners, family, and friends (ages 17 years and older) of survivors of sexual assault. When: September 21 📆 Where: In person, address upon registration Time: 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM ✏️ How to sign up: Please Email: resourceline@thebluebench.org Phone: 303-329-9922 ext 302 Para español: Envíanos un correo electrónico: resourceline@thebluebench.org Teléfono: 303-329-9922 ext 338 Learn more: ://https://lnkd.in/d4T2teY3

"Who do you call if your boss is threatening to murder someone? And maybe running an insurance scam? And is also using drugs? And is sexually assaulting the clients of his treatment center?" Episode 5 of The 13th Step takes us on an investigative journey to catch the owner and CEO of a substance use disorder treatment company in Los Angeles, Chris Bathum. Listeners are introduced to Rose Stahl and Debbie Herzog. These two women, one on the inside, closely tied to Chris, and another with experience as a prosecutor, take on a case that no one wants to listen to. Debbie says, "I dialed and dialed and dialed for days and weeks and months and could not get anybody to work with me on the assaults. First reason, drug addict victim – not reliable. Second reason, many of the victims, after I spoke to other women, many of them were assaulted in different towns.” In 2020, five years after Rose and Debbie first met at Starbucks, Bathum was sentenced to 52 years in prison. In the sentencing memo, the LA District Attorney wrote: “The crimes committed by this defendant impacted so many lives and is a shadow that will likely continue to follow the victims for the rest of their life.” ✅ "The 13th Step" is available on all streaming platforms. https://lnkd.in/gG4KJKEB

The power of each of these survivors' voices cannot be overstated. They held a dangerous man accountable, but their impact was much bigger than what happens to him. They've already impacted legislation and inspired countless people in the community. They will continue to have a rippling impact on everyone who reads or hears about this case. Their decision to come forward will validate the experiences of survivors everywhere and will help prevent the future victimization of others by bringing awareness to this predatory behavior and the institutional gaslighting that enabled it to go on for so long. I'm so proud of each of them, and my heart hurts for the journey ahead. Healing doesn't necessarily come from a conviction. The healing journey often starts when the case ends. And I hope they continue to receive support in the aftermath of this monumental judicial feat ♥️. That support often comes from organizations like The Blue Bench, Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, Rocky Mountain Victim Law Center, Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and PorchLight, A Family Justice Center. All these organizations rely on funding cut drastically in 2023 by a new budget presented by Jared Polis. For every case we see in the media, there are dozens of others we don't. The growing number of sex assault survivors in Colorado rely on these organizations and others for critical support both in the immediate and long term as they put the pieces back together. The number of survivors of violent crime, including sexual assault and domestic violence, increases while their access to services shrinks. This situation isn't sustainable. Use your voice and influence to bring awareness to the budget cuts to victim services in Colorado this upcoming legislative session. Calls and emails to political officials and showing up to testify at committee hearings are just some ways you can use your voice to amplify the voices of victims and their advocates.

We are proud to hear of the recent guilty verdict of Dr. Stephen Matthews. The jury found Matthews guilty on 35 of 38 counts of sexual assault. Thank you to the survivors who shared their experiences, the community who believed and supported these women, and those who advocate for justice daily. https://lnkd.in/gKgDaiG4

Our first Fundraising Committee meeting will be this Thursday from 5:00-6:00 PM! Committee goals: 📍 Find new business/corporate partners dedicated to amplifying our mission 📍 Organize fundraising events 📍 Plan community events 📍 Network Fill out the form below to get more details: https://lnkd.in/gVf_nWfg

The healing process can be an opportunity to regain the control and autonomy that is often taken away during a traumatic experience. Remember that everyone heals in their own way and in their own time. Be patient with your progress and compassionate toward yourself 💙 Read more from Our Wave: https://lnkd.in/gTCiexQe