Denver Encourages All to Start by Believing Victims of Sexual Assault

Published on April 02, 2025

Start by Believing Campaign Enters Eleventh Year in Denver

DENVER - April 2, 2025 - The first Wednesday in April marks Start by Believing Day, which is a day to encourage everyone to Start by Believing victims of sexual assault - as they would believe a victim of any other crime. This morning, Denver District Attorney John Walsh, Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas, Denver Health Forensic Nurse Program Manager Michelle Metz, The Blue Bench Co-Director of Client Services Laura Patlan, and three brave survivors, stood in solidarity to encourage everyone to start by believing victims and survivors of sexual assault. This is a simple act of compassion that can transform lives.

Each of the survivors, BJ, Kirstie Klein, and Dea Bender, spoke on the importance of believing survivors of sexual assault. Dea, a former client of The Blue Bench, is the owner of the gallery where The Blue Bench's fourth annual RISE Survivor Art Show is hosted. BJ and Kirstie met through the annual event four years ago and share the role of featured artist for the 2025 exhibition. The RISE Survivor Art Show will display 90 art pieces created by survivors of sexual assault and is open to the public from April 1 to April 30 at M & D Artistries located at 773 Santa Fe Drive.

"The Denver DA's Office offers compassion, understanding and support to the victims of sexual violence," said DA Walsh. "We work with victims tirelessly to hold offenders accountable."

Research shows that one in two women, one in three men, and one in two trans/nonbinary individuals will experience some form of completed or attempted sexual assault within their lifetimes. This horrifying reality makes it likely that everyone knows someone who was or will be sexually assaulted.

This is where the Start by Believing campaign comes into play. By learning how best to respond when a loved one discloses their abuse, the response is simple - "I believe you". "I am sorry this happened". "I am here for you". Remaining nonjudgmental and refraining from victim blaming increases the likelihood the survivor will seek and receive help they need.

There are many resources and paths survivors can take. These options include contacting a victim's advocate, such as The Blue Bench, having a SANE kit completed by Denver Health, and/or reporting it to Denver Police, who investigate and then work with the Denver District Attorney's Office to hold offenders accountable.

"The decision to report a sexual assault is deeply personal and we understand that survivors of sexual assault may not be ready to report to law enforcement, and we respect that choice," said Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas. "Regardless, the Denver Police Department is committed to supporting survivors. Our officers receive specialized training to understand the impact of sexual assault, and our Sexual Assault Unit and Victims Assistants are prepared to provide compassionate assistance whenever a survivor chooses to come forward."

Research also shows victims of sexual assault typical tell a friend or family member first of their sexual assault. While the City of Denver and partners are committed to believing survivors, it is encouraged that everyone starts by believing. If someone says they were robbed, they are typically met with compassion and support. The same reaction and response should be shared when someone says they were sexually assaulted - empathy and support.

"Coming forward after a sexual assault can be very difficult. At Denver Health, patients are met with care and respect, their options are explained, and their decisions honored to help empower them in collecting evidence," said Metz. "Starting by believing means that patients are treated with respect and empathy to ensure they get the care they need and deserve."

The large majority of sexual assault reports are true, which is similar to other reported crimes. This is why believing survivors is so important. There are many resources for information seekers and survivors at the following links:

• www.denvergov.org/StartbyBelieving
• The Blue Bench - Sexual Assault Hotline - (303) 322-7273
• Denver Health Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners - (303) 602-3007
• Denver Police Victim Assistance Unit - (720) 913-6035

Additionally, the following partners are helping Denver "shine a light" on the importance of starting by believing by illuminating their buildings in teal, the official color of the campaign, during the first week of April:

• Denver City and County Building
• Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Performing Arts Complex
• Buell Theater at the Denver Performing Arts Complex
• Denver McNichols Building
• Ball Arena
• Empower Field at Mile High
• Denver Health (new this year!)

"Sexual violence is never the survivor's fault, and yet it can be one of the most stigmatizing and isolating instances of their life," said The Blue Bench Co-Director of Client Services Laura Patlan. "In the aftermath of an assault, survivors have to navigate trauma, fear, guilt, shame, grief, and the societal messaging that something we said or did caused the assault to happen. Or that something about who we are as a person made someone harm us in this way. We're told that bad things only happen to bad people. This is not true. Statistics say we have either experienced some form of sexual violence ourselves or we know someone who has. None of us are at fault for what happened to us, and every single one of us deserves to be believed."

In Denver's eleventh year of participating in this educational campaign, the message is the same - believe victims of sexual assault. The Start by Believing campaign was developed by End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI). Throughout the month of April, DPD will share information on the importance of believing, consent and other sexual assault awareness information on Facebook.com/denverpolice and Instagram.com/denverpolice pages.

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