As a survivor of sexual assault, it’s often very difficult to process what happened to you. Sometimes it can be even harder to tell someone close to you about the experience. It is common to wonder if they will believe you, if they will be upset with you or if it will change your relationship. If you need help deciding who to tell and what to say, we can help you figure it out.
Click through the questions below for more information.
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Do I have to tell my family about my assault?
Who you choose to tell is entirely up to you. This may mean you confide in a family member, a close friend, law enforcement, or someone else you trust. If you aren't sure, a good first step may be to talk to someone on our 24/7 confidential and anonymous hotline. Our trained volunteers can help you figure out who to tell and how to tell them or connect you to other resources.
You can contact the hotline at 303-322-7273 (English) or Linea De Crisis at 303-329-0031 (Spanish), or toll-free at 888-394-8044 for free, confidential help, day or night. We use RELAY Colorado for those deaf and hard of hearing.
Our therapists can also help you. You can call The Blue Bench at 303-329-9922 ext. 302 to talk to our Intake Therapist.
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How do I tell someone close to me?
Telling someone in your life about your assault can be stressful and scary. Remember that it is up to you whether or not you tell anyone. If you have decided to disclose any information to someone in your life, The Blue Bench is here to help.
If you want to practice what you will say, you can contact our confidential hotline at 303-322-7273 (English) or Linea De Crisis at 303-329-0031 (Spanish), or toll-free at 888-394-8044 for free, confidential help, day or night. We use RELAY Colorado for those deaf and hard of hearing.
Our therapists can also help you. You can call The Blue Bench at 303-329-9922 ext. 302 to talk to our Intake Therapist.
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Will the person I tell be mad at me/will our relationship change?
It's normal to worry how someone in your life will react to learning about your assault. If you have chosen to disclose that information with someone, remember that what happened wasn't your fault. In the same way that survivors of assault react in all different ways, friends and family members of victims can have varied responses too. Be honest about what you need and let this person know you are coming to them for support and because you trust them--remember it is not your responsibility to educate them about sexual violence. If they want to learn more about how to support you, they can read more about it HERE. We also offer a three-hour workshop for the loved ones of survivors so they can begin to understand what you are going through and how best to help you heal.
For more information, contact our 24/7 hotline at 303-322-7273 (English) or Linea De Crisis at 303-329-0031 (Spanish), or toll-free at 888-394-8044 for free, confidential help, day or night. We use RELAY Colorado for those deaf and hard of hearing.
Our therapists can also help. You can call The Blue Bench at 303-329-9922 ext. 302 to talk to our Intake Therapist.
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How can I help someone in my life understand what I'm going through?
If you have chosen to tell someone in your life about your experience, remember, it is not your job to educate them about sexual assault, the criminal justice system, etc. If you are able, tell this person how they can best support you, but it's OK if you aren't sure what support looks like for you yet. If they have questions you don't feel you can answer, they can contact our 24/7 hotline at 303-322-7273 (English) or Linea De Crisis at 303-329-0031 (Spanish), or toll-free at 888-394-8044 for free, confidential help, day or night. We use RELAY Colorado for those deaf and hard of hearing.
We also offer a three-hour workshop for the loved ones of survivors so they can begin to understand what you are going through and how best to help you heal.
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Do I have to tell my employer?
We understand that a sexual assault can greatly impact your daily life, including work performance and attendance. If you are dealing with things that are affecting your work such as panic attacks, therapy and/or law enforcement appointments and aren't sure if you should disclose that information to your employer, The Blue Bench is here to help you navigate the decision-making process. Our Case Managers can help you decide who to tell, how to tell them and how much to disclose.
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.
