LOTUS Legal Clinic

05/20/2026

LOTUS is honored to be selected as a recipient of the Women & Girls Fund of Waukesha County’s “Girl Powered Giving” grant 💜

Through the Young Philanthropy Group, the WGF empowers young women to engage directly with issues impacting the Waukesha community and invest in organizations working to improve the lives of women and girls.

The young women who spoke at the Women of Distinction luncheon were truly inspiring — thoughtful, engaged, and deeply committed to continuing to serve their communities far beyond their time with WGF.

On behalf of our staff and the survivors we serve, thank you to Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County for your trust, support, and investment in survivor driven justice.

04/22/2026

Restorative justice practices center responsibility, repair, and healing - prioritizing the individual needs of those who have experienced harm, as well as investing in the accountability and growth of those who inflict harm on others.

'Our conventional legal system asks “what law was broken, who broke it, what punishment is warranted,”... restorative justice asks “what happened, who was harmed and what can be done to help them heal and make things as right as possible.”'

Survivor advocate Marlee Liss recounts her own experiences navigating the legal system, and the the transformative process of defining, and perusing, her own pathway to justice.

https://davisvanguard.org/2026/04/berkeley-law-restorative-justice/

Marlee Liss, a survivor advocate and founder of Survivors for Justice Reform, delivered a speech at Berkeley Law School advocating for restorative justice processes that prioritize healing and survivor agency, rather than punishment, in cases of s*xual violence.

04/17/2026

When we truly listen—without interrupting, questioning, or trying to fix—we create space for something powerful: validation, dignity, and healing on their own terms.

Listening says: I believe you.
Listening says: Your story matters.
Listening says: You deserve to be heard.

And beyond individual healing, listening to survivors helps shape stronger communities. Their voices expose gaps in systems, challenge harmful norms, and guide us toward more compassionate, effective responses to harm.

We don’t need perfect words. We don’t need to have all the answers.

We just need to be present, to hold space, and to honor the courage it takes to speak.

Because every time we listen, we help shift the culture—from silence to accountability, from isolation to connection.

*xualassaultawarenessmonth

04/13/2026

No one is unaffected by s*xual violence, but individuals from systemically marginalized communities are not only more likely to experience violence, they also face additional barriers to getting help. Lack of representation within support spaces is one of those barriers.

LOTUS is addressing this in our own healing spaces.

We are accepting applications for workshop facilitators to help diversify our programming so it more accurately reflects the complexity of identities and experiences of the community of survivors we serve.

**This is a paid contract opportunity**

Check out the application packet for more details https://tinyurl.com/LLCfacilitator or email [email protected] for more information.

04/06/2026

We need data for policy change. The Survivor Justice Network National Survey will generate comprehensive data on survivors’ civic and political engagement. Survivors and allies, we need your voice. Your input helps build the future and only takes 15 minutes.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8CNDDZ5

Necesitamos datos para cambiar las políticas. La Encuesta Nacional de la Red de Justicia para Sobrevivientes generará datos completos sobre el compromiso cívico y político de las personas sobrevivientes de violencia s*xual. Sobrevivientes y aliadxs, necesitamos su voz. Tu participación ayuda a construir el futuro y solo toma 15 minutos.
https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/espanol-SJN-2026

02/23/2026

There are just a few spots left for our March Advocacy Writing Workshop series!

This workshop is a fantastic opportunity for survivors who are ready to take the next step in their healing and learn how to engage in storytelling as a tool to advocate for change.

NOTE: This is a SERIES of workshops held on different dates at different venues - all applicants should be available to attend all three dates.

This series is made possible in collaboration with Kat Klawes, Sarah Bondar, and Bloom Art and Integrated Therapies, Inc.

02/09/2026

During this TWO DAY workshop survivors will explore the power of STORYTELLING learning how to maximize the impact of their testimony while mitigating risk when sharing personal information publicly.

With a focus on SELF-CARE, HEALING, and CREATIVITY, participants will engage in art therapy practices, mindfulness activities, and creative writing as tools for self-expression and stress management.

The workshop will culminate in a private event where writers will share their stories with community leaders and decision-makers, giving them a chance to LISTEN and LEARN directly from those who have experienced harm.

Space is limited so submit your application early!

https://tinyurl.com/StorytellingWrkshp
or email [email protected] for more information

01/12/2026

Effective prevention methods MUST be survivor led, evidence based, and focused on reducing vulnerabilities to victimization.

Thank you Love146 for this for this incredibly insightful image.

01/08/2026

Throughout the month of January, LOTUS will be sharing information from trusted sources on the realities of human trafficking and what effective trafficking prevention measures look like when dignity and human rights are prioritized.

Framework provides labor trafficking training and resources that are guided by human rights, justice, and healing, and it shares LOTUS' commitment to centering the voices of anti-trafficking experts - those who have experienced it.

This short clip from Frameworks "Survivor Soundbite" series features Labor trafficking survivor Anthony Paco Bernaola's thoughts on the importance of leading our work with survivors with patience and human connection.

https://frameworkta.org/resource/help-us-reconnect/

Labor trafficking survivor Anthony Paco Bernaola discusses the need for service providers to offer survivors patience, human connection, and time to heal.

01/07/2026

📣UPCOMING WRITING WORKSHOP!📣

We’re back from the holiday break and stepping into 2026 with renewed ENERGY, PASSION, and COMMITMENT to creating creative and impactful ways to advance JUSTICE and HEALING.

We’re honored to welcome back writer, advocate, and lived-experience expert Abbey Brooks to host our first writing workshop of the year.

✨ Still I Speak: The Next Chapter ✨ builds on Abbey’s previous workshop and weaves together CREATIVE WRITING, COLLAGING, and ART THERAPY practices.

Co-facilitated with our partners at Bloom Art and Integrated Therapies, Inc. this free workshop invites writers of all experience levels to reconnect with their voices and explore creativity as a tool for healing.

Open to adult survivors of s*xual harm of all gender identities, s*xual orientations, and backgrounds.

⏰ SPOTS ARE LIMITED⏰
Applications are open at: www.tinyurl.com/LLCworkshopapp

12/23/2025

To give our staff time to relax and enjoy time with their families, LOTUS’ office will be closed for holiday break starting December 24th and will reopen on January 5th.

Please leave a message at 414-435-2535 (English) or 414-435-2553 (Español) and a staff member will return your call after the holiday break.