Colorado Springs resident helps launch non-profit to give sexual abuse survivors access to therapy
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- A Colorado Springs resident is helping to launch a non-profit aimed at helping sexual abuse survivors.
Help;Hear;Heal went live on Monday and the goal is to provide access and funding for trauma therapy to survivors nationwide.
Jules Woodson is one of the co-founders and lives in Colorado Springs. She is a sexual assault survivor. Woodson says she was assaulted when she was 17 years old by her pastor, and her story made national headlines when she shared it online in 2018.
Recent statistics show that every 68 seconds someone is sexually assaulted. Woodson says by launching Help;Hear;Heal she wants to provide support by eliminating concerns on cost and lack of access when it comes to getting help.
The non-profit is working with Thriveworks, a mental health company, to offer therapy.
"Survivors of sexual abuse often suffer with incredible amounts of shame and in silence for years, potentially a lifetime, so we really want to break that stigma, let people know that it’s okay to talk about your experiences and that you can start to live a life worth living," said Woodson.
Woodson says it usually takes four to six weeks to see a counselor, but through Thriveworks you'll be able to get an appointment in three to five days.
Help;Hear;Heal is able to offer six free sessions. They can be in person or online.