Sexual Assault Response: OVA expertise benefits Colorado and campus
Boulder’s Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) doesn’t just provide free and confidential advocacy and counseling on campus. OVA staff are also involved in statewide efforts related to sexual assault response and prevention.
Meet 2 of OVA’s experts serving the state
Elizabeth Wilmer
In fall 2025, Colorado’s attorney general and governor selected OVA Senior Associate Director Elizabeth Wilmer to serve on the new statewide .
In 2025, the Colorado General Assembly created this board of experts to evaluate the state’s sexual assault response system, including the handling of sexual assault forensic medical evidence. The board submitted a preliminary report to the Colorado legislature in December and will continue work in 2026 to make recommendations on how to improve this process for victims.
In addition to her statewide sexual assault advocacy work, Wilmer is a certified clinical trauma professional and wellness specialist who cares deeply about helping “the helpers” at Boulder. She will present “Thriving through Stress: The Impact of Trauma” at 10 a.m. on February 18 at this year’sStudent Success Conference. This workshop will address the needs of higher education professionals who continue to live and work through challenging times.
Jessica Ladd-Webert
In fall 2023, the Colorado Department of Higher Education tapped Jessica Ladd-Webert, senior director of trauma response and OVA director, to serve on the statewide. The committee was created to promote safe, non-discriminatory education environments and ensure fair and equitable adjudication processes for sexual misconduct cases.
Ladd-Webert was selected for her experience and insight on “trauma-informed care.” Since she joined this committee, she has contributed to three .
Ladd-Webert will also present at two upcoming national conferences this spring with the goal to continue growing trauma-informed services and creating a community where all victims and survivors are supported. She will be presenting at the conference in March on “Working with Oppressive Trauma While Caring for Ourselves.” Then in May, she will host a session on “Supporting Survivors: Trauma-Informed Care for Medical Professionals” at an conference in Denver.
Interested in in OVA’s educational programming? Faculty, staff and departments can request an OVA presentation.
New sexual assault process group offered on campus for undergraduate students
OVA launched a new sexual assault process group in fall 2025 as another way to build community and healing for students who have experienced sexual assault. This group will be offered again from 1-2:30 p.m. on Wednesdays from February 18 through April 15.
Group therapy offers survivors a safe, supportive space to heal alongside others with shared experiences. By the end of the group, last semester’s participants said they learned new ways to cope and felt less alone, more connected to others, validated and empowered.
Undergraduate students can fill out the to receive more information.
More events for the Boulder community to get involved during Sexual Assault Awareness Month will be announced soon. If you want to host an event this April, please reach out to .