Supporting survivors. Inspiring change.
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After years of stalking and a case that reached the U.S. Supreme Court, Coles Whalen refused to let the experience define the end of her story. Today, she works alongside legislators and advocacy organizations to turn lived experience into action, helping shape state and federal policy to better protect victims and survivors.
Policy Change
Remote Testimony for Adult Victim-Survivors
In 2026, Coles led the effort to change Colorado law after facing the possibility of having to testify all over again, in the same room as the man who stalked her. She asked a simple question: Why should victims have to be physically present with the person who harmed them in order to testify? That question became a first-of-its-kind Colorado law allowing adult victims of stalking, domestic violence, unlawful sexual behavior, and human trafficking to testify remotely under certain circumstances, protecting survivors from unnecessary trauma while preserving defendants’ constitutional rights.
Why This Matters
For many survivors, the courtroom can become a second place of trauma. Being required to testify only a few feet from the person who stalked, assaulted, or terrorized you can make it difficult to communicate clearly—or keep you from participating altogether. Remote testimony offers courts a carefully balanced tool that protects constitutional rights while giving survivors the opportunity to be heard.
“She had to change her entire life, almost go into hiding, and yet Coles Whalen is so poised and forceful in bringing her story into the legislative environment, which can be intimidating for people. She did an amazing job, and I think it helped seal the deal for getting support from that committee.”
— Colorado State Sen. Mike Weissman, sponsor of SB 26-095
Let’s Bring This Protection to Your State
If you’re working to bring remote testimony protections to your state, Coles would love to help. She can share what worked in Colorado, provide testimony, connect you with advocates and lawmakers, and help guide the effort from an idea to meaningful change. Work with Coles >>
Helpful Resources for Remote Testimony Protections
Use this one-pager to educate yourself and key stakeholders about the problem, Colorado’s solution, and the state and federal action needed.
Listen to the questions, testimony, and conversations that shaped the law in Colorado to help inform similar efforts in your state.
Review the signed law (Section 6) to see Colorado’s new remote testimony protections for adult victims.
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