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Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline: 303-322-7273; Línea de Crisis Sobre La Violencia Sexual: 303-329-0031

For Myself

Reporting My Assault

Deciding whether to report sexual assault is a deeply personal choice, and survivors in Colorado have multiple options for doing so.

Whatever your choice is, we can help you navigate the process. The Blue Bench is committed to being a voice for survivors, advocating for their rights, and ensuring they feel protected throughout the legal process.

Survivors in Colorado can choose to file a formal report, pursue anonymous reporting, or simply gather information without making a decision right away. Learn more about different reporting options here.

This can often be one of the most stressful decisions following a sexual assault. There may be people in your life who attempt to persuade you to report or not to report, but know that the choice is yours.  

Click through the questions below for more information:

  • Do I need to report my assault?

    Whether or not you report your assault is your choice. Deciding to report your assault may be a difficult decision. 

    As with any choice, there are pros and cons to consider. 

    If you wish to discuss your options, you can contact our 24/7 Sexual Assault Hotline/Linea en Español para ayuda sobre el abuse sexual at 303-322-7273 for free, confidential help, day or night. We use RELAY Colorado for those who are deaf and hard of hearing.

  • How do I know if I'm ready to report?

    Deciding to report your assault may be a difficult decision. As with any choice, there are pros and cons to consider.

    If you wish to discuss your options, you can contact our 24/7 Sexual Assault Hotline/Linea en Español para ayuda sobre el abuse sexual at 303-322-7273 for free, confidential help, day or night. We use RELAY Colorado for those who are deaf and hard of hearing. 

    A therapist from The Blue Bench is available to support you through the decision-making process as well. You can call 303-322-9922 ext. 302 to talk to our Intake Therapist. 

    Remember, whether or not you report is your choice.

    If you are ready to make a report to the police you can call 911, call the non-emergency number for your local police department, or stop by your local police department. 

    A Case Manager from The Blue Bench is also available to support and accompany you through this entire process, from going with you to report through the investigative and court processes.  

    A Case Manager can be reached by calling the office during business hours at 303-329-9922, or by leaving a message ANYTIME at ext. 302

  • What happens during the police investigation?

    What to expect with the police investigation:

    1. If a victim chooses to report to law enforcement s/he may be interviewed several times throughout the investigation.
    2. An advocate with the Police Department may be assigned to the case. The advocate helps explain the legal process and is available to help support the victim through the police investigation.
    3. Law enforcement will ask many questions, some of which may seem intrusive and/or embarrassing. This information is necessary for the investigation. If the victim does not understand the relevance of a question, it is acceptable to ask the officer for further explanation.
    4. It is important to know that the offender may not be arrested even though the crime has been reported.
    5. If there are any cuts or bruises as a result of the assault, the police may request that pictures be taken. Because physical injuries may heal quickly, pictures can be important evidence for the prosecution if the case goes to trial.
    6. Law enforcement may have to collect evidence from the crime scene so it’s important not to disturb the area.
    7. The victim may be asked to identify the offender through a photo or live line-up. The victim will not be seen by the offender during this process.
    8. It may take weeks or months for law enforcement to investigate a case and to determine whether or not an arrest will be made.
    9. When law enforcement completes the investigation, the case is presented to the District Attorney’s office. The District Attorney determines if there is a reasonable likelihood of conviction. Unfortunately, many sex assault cases, especially ones in which the victim knows the offender or drugs and alcohol are involved, are difficult to prosecute. Lack of prosecution does not imply that the District Attorney does not believe the victim.

    A Case Manager from The Blue Bench is available to support and accompany you through this entire process, from deciding to report, through the investigative and court processes.  

    A Case Manager can be reached by calling the office during business hours at 303-329-9922, or by leaving a message ANYTIME at ext. 302

    If you want to further discuss the process, you can also contact our 24/7 Sexual Assault Hotline/Linea en Español para ayuda sobre el abuse sexual at 303-322-7273 for free, confidential help, day or night. We use RELAY Colorado for those who are deaf and hard of hearing.

  • What happens during the prosecution process?

    What to expect with the prosecution process:

    1. If the District Attorney accepts the case, the state is the prosecuting party. The victim is considered a witness in the case. The prosecuting attorney makes all critical decisions about the case but typically consults with the victim.
    2. An advocate with the District Attorney’s office is assigned to the case. The advocate helps explain the legal process and is the main point of contact between the victim and the prosecuting attorney.
    3. Once charges are filed, the defendant is advised of them and the preliminary hearing is scheduled.
    4. During the preliminary hearing the Judge decides if there is probable cause. Probable cause indicates that enough facts exist to prove the defendant committed the crime. The victim may have to testify at the preliminary hearing. If the Judge finds probable cause, the defendant will be scheduled for an arraignment. If a not guilty plea is entered at the arraignment, a trial date will be set. If a guilty plea is entered, a sentencing date will be set.
    5. Not every case results in a trial. Instead, a plea bargain is sometimes offered to the defendant. A plea bargain is an offer for the defendant to plead guilty to a lesser charge. This offer is a means by which a defendant is convicted and punished, without having to go to trial.
    6. If a defendant refuses a plea bargain, a trial by jury will follow. Once the jury is selected and sworn in by the Judge, the prosecution and the defense present their case. The victim will most likely have to testify at the trial. After all evidence has been presented, the Judge will read instructions to the jury. These instructions contain the laws the jurors must follow when deciding whether or not to convict the defendant.
    7. If the defendant is found not guilty, the defendant is released and the case is dismissed. If the defendant is found guilty, then a sentencing date is set. At sentencing, the Judge will impose a penalty on the defendant. The victim will have an opportunity to inform the Judge, either verbally or in writing, how the crime has affected his/her life.
    8. Note: the decision about whether to continue to prosecute is made several times during the progression of the case. There are many factors the prosecuting attorney takes into consideration, for example: whether there is enough evidence to convict, the probability of conviction, the nature of the crime, and the character of the offender.

    To make a report to the police you can call 911, call the non-emergency number for your local police department, or stop by your local police department. 

    A Case Manager from The Blue Bench is available to support and accompany you through this entire process, from deciding to report, through the investigative and court processes.  

    A Case Manager can be reached by calling the office during business hours at 303-329-9922, or by leaving a message ANYTIME at ext. 302

    If you want to further discuss the process, you can also contact our 24/7 Sexual Assault Hotline/Linea en Español para ayuda sobre el abuse sexual at 303-322-7273 for free, confidential help, day or night. We use RELAY Colorado for those who are deaf and hard of hearing.

  • Can I report anonymously?

    Yes. Anonymously reporting means that information about your assault is shared with police without revealing any information about your identity. 

    If you decide to report anonymously, you can still choose to make a full report at a later date.

    To learn more about the three different ways you can report an assault, click HERE.

    A therapist from The Blue Bench is available to support you as you decide whether or not you will report your assault. You can call 303-322-9922 ext. 302 to talk to our Intake Therapist.

    If you are ready to make a report to the police you can call 911, call the non-emergency number for your local police department, or stop by your local police department. 

    A Case Manager from The Blue Bench is available to support and accompany you through this entire reporting process, from going with you to report through the investigative and court processes.  

    A Case Manager can be reached by calling the office during business hours at 303-329-9922, or by leaving a message ANYTIME at ext. 302

    If you want to further discuss the above details, you can also contact our 24/7 Sexual Assault Hotline/Linea en Español para ayuda sobre el abuse sexual at 303-322-7273 for free, confidential help, day or night. We use RELAY Colorado for those who are deaf and hard of hearing.

  • When is The Blue Bench required to report an assault?

    While our hotline and services are confidential, The Blue Bench employees and hotline volunteers are "mandatory reporters." This means that they are required to report a sexual assault if it falls under one of the following categories:

    1. If there is child sexual abuse, physical abuse and/or neglect
    2. If the client is in danger of hurting themselves (suicidal)
    3. If the client is in danger of hurting someone else (homicidal)
    4. If there is elder sexual abuse, physical abuse, financial abuse and/or caretaker neglect

    If an assault does not fall under one of these categories, anything you disclose to a The Blue Bench employee or volunteer is privileged and confidential.

    To contact our 24/7 Sexual Assault Hotline/Linea en Español para ayuda sobre el abuse sexual at 303-322-7273 for free, confidential help, day or night. We use RELAY Colorado for those who are deaf and hard of hearing.

  • What is Victim's Compensation?

    Crime victim compensation is a government program that provides victims of violent crimes (such as assault, homicide, rape, and, in some states, burglary), as well as their families, with reimbursement for many of their out of pocket expenses. Every state has a crime victim compensation program. (via victimsofcrime.org)

  • Am I eligible for Victim's Compensation?

    In Colorado there are 6 main eligibility requirements for Victim Compensation:

    1. The crime must be one in which the victim sustains mental or bodily injury, dies, or suffers property damage to locks, windows, or doors to residential property as a result of a compensable crime.
    2. The victim must cooperate with law enforcement officials (e.g. district attorney, police, sheriff).
    3. The law enforcement agency was notified within 72 hours after the crime occurred.
    4. The injury or death of the victim was not the result of the victim's own wrongdoing or substantial provocation.
    5. The victimization occurred on or after July 1, 1982.
    6. The application for compensation must be submitted within one year from the date of the crime; six months for residential property damage claims.

    NOTE: The Victim Compensation Board may waive some of these requirements for good cause or in the interest of justice.

     A Case Manager from The Blue Bench is available to support you through this process.  A Case Manager can be reached by calling the office during business hours at 303-329-9922, or by leaving a message ANYTIME at ext. 302

  • I believe I have been treated unfairly throughout the criminal justice process.

    At The Blue Bench, we start by believing. We believe you should feel supported and safe after reporting an assault. 

    If you feel you were treated unfairly during the criminal justice process, The Blue Bench Case Managers can help--they can talk with you in-depth about your victim's rights and offer options on how to file a grievance.

    A Case Manager can be reached by calling the office during business hours at 303-329-9922, or by leaving a message ANYTIME at ext. 302

    If you want to further discuss the process, you can also contact our 24/7 Sexual Assault Hotline/Linea en Español para ayuda sobre el abuse sexual at 303-322-7273 for free, confidential help, day or night. We use RELAY Colorado for those who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Our Continuum of Care, led by our professional Care Team, allows survivors, their families and friends to come to us and be heard, believed and supported, regardless of when the sexual assault occurred.

The Blue Bench is here for survivors of sexual assault 13 years of age and older* of all gender identities, ethnic/racial identities, sexual identities, and religious backgrounds who reside in our 9-county service area.

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