ABOUT THE INITIATIVE

The Initiative was founded by local, queer, disabled, artists and activists in 1985 to begin addressing the unique needs of disabled sexual assault and domestic violence survivors. Disability justice and anti-abuse work are intimately tied together. Both movements rely on the ways that we make each other stronger, take care of each other, depend on each other, and support each other. Both movements are deeply intersectional at their hearts, and in order to be successful, require a commitment to recognizing the vast, complex, and nuanced experiences of human beings. Both movements also have an incredibly beautiful way of benefiting everyone in our communities. Just as everyone benefits from the availability of accessibility options, we all benefit from creating a culture that values consent, respects survivors, and supports those who have been wronged.

The Initiative works towards both of these goals as the only organization in Colorado, and one of very few in the country, providing direct victim services to survivors and specializing in those with disabilities. The Initiative is also one of the only victim services organizations that follows the “cross-disability model,” meaning that we do not focus on a specific sub-category of disability. 

With the intersection of survivors and disability at our heart, we have been growing to encompass other underserved populations that also have higher rates of disability. With the help of community fundraising, we’ve been able to launch our dedicated LGBTQ+ Advocacy, Rural Advocacy, and Bilingual/Bicultural Advocacy programs. In each of our programs we provide one-on-one advocacy with survivors for as long as they need, focusing on whatever goals are the most important to them. We have also expanded our systems based advocacy program - Community Education - and we now offer 9 free presentations addressing systemic barriers that survivors of various identities face when accessing victim services.

WHY GIVE?

Funds that we raise from the public are an invaluable resource for survivors. We are able to use this pool of money for things that tend to be restricted under government grants like rental deposit assistance, cell phones, small business costs, gas, prescription medication co-pays, haircuts, and certification fees. We recognize that sexual assault has so many impacts on a survivor that extend past the criminal legal system. We work closely with survivors as unique, independent, brilliant, individuals who know their own situation better than anyone else possibly could.