Change on Tap event raising awareness, money for sexual assault prevention

By Melissa Voss

Many Denver bars are taking strides toward building a fun, yet safe experience within their businesses by participating in sexual assault prevention training. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, one in three individuals will experience sexual assault within their lifetime. The Blue Bench is trying to combat this statistic by providing assault prevention and support within the Denver metro area. This October, The Blue Bench is holding their second annual Change on Tap fundraiser, an event that helps fund victim advocacy programs and sexual assault training for bars.

Change on Tap will be held at Tivoli Turnhalle at Metro State University of Denver on Thursday, Oct. 13. VIP admission starts at 5 p.m. and general admission starts at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at The Blue Bench’s website.
A silent auction for the event is already open.

Launched in Denver in 1983, The Blue Bench’s mission is to “eliminate sexual assault and diminish the impact it has on individuals, their loved ones and the community through comprehensive issue advocacy, prevention, and care.” Not only does The Blue Bench support survivors of sexual assault but they also provide a training called Safe Bars, which is a bystander interviention training for bars and breweries within the Denver metro. Several local bars have participated in the Safe Bars including Goldspot Brewing, Trve Brewing, Cerebral Brewing and more.

Safe Bars focuses on bystander awareness and proper intervention techniques in order to de-escalate situations safely. David Proper, The Blue Bench’s Director of Development and Communications, believes that through proper training, bars can provide safe environments for all participants. “We believe that together we can keep metro Denver bars safe from sexual harassment and assault. To that end, Safe Bars is a bystander intervention training. Active bystander intervention is a promising practice in the prevention of sexual harassment and assault, contributing to safer communities,” Proper says.

In order to fund their mission, The Blue Bench holds their annual fundraiser Change on Tap. The event not only supports Safe Bars but also aids in funding The Blue Bench’s survivor services such as their 24/7/365 hotline, victim advocacy, individual and group therapy, and case management.

Change on Tap will be hosted by drag queen LaLa Queen and 9News anchor Jordan Chavez. The event will include a VIP beer tasting with Cicerone Josh Troutman, as well as tastings from various local breweries that have participated in Safe Bars. Games, raffles, door prizes and other activities will be available.

Although The Blue Bench wants to make the night full of fun for attendees, the overall focus is for people to walk away with a sense of support for assault prevention. “We cannot accomplish our mission alone. We want folks to walk away knowing that we all play a role in ending sexual violence (and that we all play a role in creating a safer night out). When we support one another and recognize our roles as prosocial bystanders, we create a community that is free from sexual violence,” Proper says.