A former Boulder therapist will shortly be put on trial over claims of sexually abusing two young clients decades ago.
The trial starts on December 3, and should Hochwender be found guilty, Colorado's sentencing rules for sex offenses could call for life in prison.
Overview of the Case
Mark Hochwender is accused of a pattern of abuse and is charged with two counts of sexual assault against a child by an individual in a position of trust.
Under Colorado law, which imposes rigorous punishment for sex-related offenses involving minors, these charges are categorized as Class 3 felony.
If convicted, Hochwender faces an indeterminate sentence, which means he might spend the rest of his life in prison.
The trial will be supervised by a jury and is expected to take five days.
Hochwender, who has pled not guilty to the allegations, is now free on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond.
This indicates that he consented to appear in court as needed but was not obliged to post monetary bail.
Allegations and Victims' Accounts
The accusations against Hochwender come from two sisters who claim he groomed and sexually assaulted them while serving as their family therapist.
According to the affidavit, Hochwender initially treated the sisters’ father before transitioning into the role of a family counselor.
Over time, he allegedly began engaging in inappropriate acts, including nude massages and baths, which escalated to sexual abuse.
The abuse reportedly started when the sisters were in middle or high school.
They have described feeling manipulated and betrayed by someone they were supposed to trust.
The sisters stated that they were unaware of each other’s abuse until years later when they shared their experiences as adults.
Their revelations led them to report Hochwender to the authorities.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The story initially surfaced in 2020 when the sisters reported the abuse to Boulder police and wrote a letter to the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.
This set off a protracted research including several families that had professionally interacted with Hochwender.
Hochwender left his profession and turned in his license in 2021 instead of challenging claims of unethical client interactions.
Although the probe sparked worries about the potential for more victims, he has not yet been charged with any new crimes thus far.
The specifics of these charges should be clarified at Hochwender's trial.
Attorneys can still make legal arguments that could influence the trial's outcome at a motions hearing that is arranged prior to the trial.
Context and Public Concerns
The reported events happened in Hochwender's Boulder and Westminster home offices following 1999.
These circumstances and the reputable position of a family therapist have added to the weight of the claims.
Concerns regarding grooming and exploitation by those in positions of power have been brought to light by the sisters' testimonies.
Law enforcement authorities have voiced worries about perhaps more victims not yet coming forward.
Still, despite their efforts, no further claims have come to light publicly.
The case has attracted a lot of community interest since many people are attentively monitoring it as the trial gets ready.
For now, Hochwender remains free on bond as he awaits the jury trial.
Authorities continue to encourage anyone with information to contact them, emphasizing the importance of uncovering the full scope of the allegations.
This trial represents a crucial opportunity for the victims to seek justice and accountability for the alleged abuse.
