This is a page for individuals, organizations, activists, and advocates of all ages. Tell us about your projects to raise awareness about an education equality free from sexual harassment and assault, gender-based discrimination, and related issues.
Send us any of the following: a short written description, audio recording, video, photos of your project, graphics, blogs, poetry, songs, etc. through the contact form or email [email protected].
M-A Chronicle, Atherton, CA
Student journalists at Menlo-Atherton high school published an outstanding editorial explaining how their school disregarded the district’s own process for handing reported sexual harassment and assault. In response, school administrators agreed “to work to improve the current system based on the reports of these survivors.” Read Students Deserve Better from M-A’s Sexual Assault Reporting System.
Jordan High School SASH Club, Durham NC
Students at Jordan High School started a SASH Club (Students Against Sexual Harassment, a project of SSAIS available to anyone). They’re engaged in impressive outreach and are partnering with a local crisis response center. Read how students founded the Jordan High School Sash Club and follow them on Instagram at jhs_sashclub.
Pine-Richland High School SASH Club, Gibsonia, PA
Students at Pine Richland High School started a SASH Club and are making change in their school. Read their blog SASH club raises awareness with Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign.
Kathryn LaLonde
High school senior Kathryn LaLonde writes about her work in Change in Schools Starts with Listening to Students, a blog for SSAIS that was published in the national media.
Cate Bikales
High school senior Cate Bikales writes A New Way to Combat High School Sexual Harassment and Assault published by the Women’s Media Center.
Dani Erickson
High school sophomore Dani Erickson, a courageous survivor, says, “I hope sharing my story will urge other students and survivors to advocate for change. Survivors want to feel heard and seen. Schools claim to care so much about their students’ mental health but really do not. If they did, they would prioritize student safety over protecting their reputations.”
Read Dani’s blog “My school failed me after I was assaulted.” Warning: this blog discusses sexual assault and may be disturbing for some readers.
Heidi Goldstein, SSAIS Board Chair
In 2020, the U.S. Department of Education introduced new Title IX regulations that made it more difficult for school districts to respond effectively to sexual harassment. Heidi Goldstein made a short video explaining what additional steps school districts need to take to protect students’ rights.
Maya Behl, high school junior in Illinois
Maya writes, “I hosted a screening of the video Sexual Harassment: Not in Our School! this summer at my house. My close friends and family attended the event, and I am pleased to share that the event was a success. We raised over $600 and, most importantly, people left more educated about the issues and energized to do their part in the #MeTooK12 movement.”
Did you know that 90% of women attending music festivals report harassment?
Maya blogs about her recent participation in a workshop titled “Our Music My Body.” Maya writes, “‘Our Music My Body’ is a campaign that was created to raise awareness about sexual harassment and help protect people from harassment at concerts, music festivals, etc.”
Lauren Allen and Minnah Stein
High school survivor and activist Lauren Allen explains why she’s breaking the silence to stop sexual violence before college, and how middle/ high school students can turn to resources at Stop Sexual Assault in School (SSAIS.org). Lauren is interviewed by high school activist Minnah Stein, a member of the SSAIS advisory board and founder of EMPOWERU. Watch their discussion “Two teen activists talk about the facts of K-12 sexual assault.”
Amani Ward
Ambassador Scout and high school senior Amani Ward (center) created Starting the Conversation, a Girl Scout Gold Award video project. Its purpose is to bring awareness to the issue of teenage sexual peer pressure, harassment, assault and the emotional impact it can have on teens. In addition, Amani and other students interviewed her school’s Title IX Coordinator using the guide How to Gather Information about a School District’s Title IX Policies.
Minnah Stein, high school student and founder of EMPOWER U – My Mission to Put an End to Sexual Assault
Hi, everyone! I started EMPOWER U to bring awareness, leadership, and resources to the high school students in my county to help prevent sexual assault. Statistics show that 1 in 5 college girls will become a victim of sexual assault…and boys are assaulted too. I feel compelled to do something to stop this, and I hope you’ll join me and the other dedicated community organizers and organizations featured on this website.
I believe by talking about the subject and providing education, resources, and tips, I am doing my small part to help prevent sexual assault and encourage good bystanders to step in and take action to protect others.
I am currently working on providing a county-wide screening of the documentary It Happened Here so students in my area will be better prepared to stay safe. Last year, I conducted a week-long pledge drive where I got over 200 high school students to take the pledge against sexual assault.
By starting the conversation I hope students, parents, educators, and the community will join together to put an end to sexual assault so there will be no more victims and no more inaction by those who could help.
One of the ways I am showing my support and getting involved with SSAIS is by designing merchandise for the organization. I am thankful for the national voice they are lending to help end sexual assault.
Take a Stand. Take Action.
Minnah, EMPOWERU Founder