The Campus Survivors Project

"Sexual violence impacts millions of Americans each year and has been declared a “silent violent epidemic” by the American Medical Association. With an estimated 1 in 10  students experiencing sexual violence during their time in college, sexual violence directly affected about 2 million college students in 2022 making it the most prevalent crime on campus with populations of intersecting marginalized identities most impacted. The trauma of sexual violence and the subsequent lack of support and resources for student survivors often manifest as devastating long-term impacts including educational and economic outcomes, long-term career trajectory, and emotional and physical health."

Source: https://www.everyvoicecoalition.org/the-every-voice-coalitions-policy-memo.

In 2023, the majority of college campuses reported no incidents of sexual violence. None reported at all. However, it is estimated that up to 90% of survivors do not report, "citing barriers to reporting, fear of retaliation, and institutional pushback." Every Voice Coalition report citing National Sexual Violence Resource Center, Statistics about Sexual Violence (Harrisburg, PA: National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 2015.)

This project aims to bring together advocates and shared expertise to design, implement, and advocate for better support systems for survivors of sexual violence on college campuses in California, including Stanford University. This project will utilize the visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders in the Knight-Hennessy community to tackle an incredibly complex and often overlooked issue. I come from this with a background in legislative organizing on behalf of survivors of sexual violence as well as the student co-lead of the Stanford Law School Campus Survivors Pro Bono Project. To learn more about the Pro Bono direct services work students at the law school do, visit our website here: https://www.survivorsprobono.com/.

Essentially, this project has two aims: 

• Help make Stanford University's Title IX system better for survivors.
• Help write, introduce, and pass state legislation supporting survivors of sexual violence across California.

Right now, we are partnering with the Every Voice Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to passing state-level legislation combating campus sexual violence. We are aiming to help pass an EVC bill, which, in California, would include mandating institutional campus climate surveys as well as increasing protections for survivors on college campuses. We are in the process of drafting and likely have a legislative sponsor!  We want you to play a part in making this happen! 

Knight-Hennessy scholars represent a vast array of cultures, perspectives, and experiences. While we as an organization are committed to elevating their voices, the views expressed are those of the scholars, and not necessarily those of KHS.