In the News

April 9, 2024 - Isaac Vargas interviews RISE Featured Artist, Tlalli, RISE Co-Founder, Jenn Merz, and The Blue Bench's Executive Director, Megan Carvajal, about the third annual RISE art show and the impact VOCA funding cuts will have on survivors like those apart of our show.

April 7, 2024 - "For many, after an assault, it can be difficult to put into words the trauma they've experienced. Survivors in Denver are finding a path to healing through art."

April 3, 2024 - RISE Co-Founder, Jenn Merz Color Queen, 2024 RISE Featured Artist, Tlalli, and RISE exhibition team member, D, shared their stories in honor of the 10th anniversary of the Start by Believing campaign by the Denver Police

April 3, 2024 - "In Denver, RemainReal Fine Art Gallery is including an art exhibit, created by survivors of sexual assault. This shares a powerful message that survivors are not alone. Three survivors, Jenn Merz CQ -- which stands for "color queen," Tlalli and D, shared their stories Wednesday."

Feb. 26, 2024 - "The biggest source of funding in the state to support people who've been a victim of a crime is about to take a massive hit. Now, victims' service providers are hoping the state can step in so they can keep supporting survivors. 'It feels like a lot more people than what already do would fall through the cracks,' said Laura Patlan, client services co-director at The Blue Bench. "

Feb. 5, 2024 - "Advocates with The Blue Bench say this tool is needed. They're just surprised it took so long to implement. 'You know, if this has happened to you, this is not your fault. It's the fault of the person who chose to do it. And it is never too late to ask for help,' said Ana Martinez, Clinical Program Manager at The Blue Bench. "

Jan. 25, 2024 - "But victims’ advocate Casey Ballinger, who’s also on the SOMB and works for a sexual violence prevention nonprofit, agrees with providers on the value of treatment in prison. Without it, Ballinger said, prison settings don’t always allow offenders the tools to take accountability for their actions."

Jan. 3, 2024 - "'It's terrifying to think about there being more victims and it's not surprising,' said Megan Carvajal, executive director of the Blue Bench. Carvajal said the staff at Blue Bench are always busy, working around the clock to help victims of sexual assault. She said it's scary to think that Alamillo-Gonzales, a man accused of sexually assaulting and kidnapping multiple women in Denver, could have more victims still out there."

Nov. 29, 2023 - "'Law enforcement has access to a lot more resources than DORA has, and if they had passed that along, there might have been a way for law enforcement to step in and interfere before this man was able to harm more people,' Bailey Brand of The Blue Bench said."

Nov. 1, 2023 - These for-profit and nonprofit winners are making a mark on the Denver area — and beyond.

Aug. 12, 2023 - "'It's scary. It's scary for all of us," said Megan Carvajal, executive director at The Blue Bench, a center for sexual assault survivors. Even when we don't hear about it and may assume it's not happening, she said sexual violence is still everywhere. "I'm very grateful to the survivors who chose to report this to help us end this," said Carvajal."

July 22, 2023 - "Casey Ballinger, a spokesperson and advocate for the Blue Bench, a sexual assault prevention and survivor support center in Denver, said survivors already had faced significant difficulties receiving accountability through the legal system."

June 08, 2023 - "The Blue Bench, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to ending sexual assault and supporting survivors, will host its 40th anniversary celebration at Ratio Beerworks."

April 25, 2023 - "It’s pretty serious. It’s concerning," said Casey Ballinger, the lead advocate at The Blue Bench, an organization that helps survivors of sexual assault. She said the conversation about fake IDs could fit a definition of grooming.

April 7, 2023 - "Casey Ballinger, a lead advocate with the Blue Bench, an organization that tries to prevent sexual assault, said date rape cases are generally underreported. She says about one of every 10 sexual assaults reported to her organization fall under the umbrella of date rape. She told CBS News Colorado the reason the cases are not often reported is because the victims and perpetrators know each other, victims fear retaliation and fear not being believed."