Youth voices drive change in unique ways. They contribute essential perspectives to intergenerational activism that inform new resources, connections, and our SASH Club (Students Against Sexual Harassment) project.
Contact us to participate as a youth leader at SSAIS and SASH Club.
Ahlam A.
“In my culture, conversations about sexual assault are taboo. Now that I’ve found my voice, I feel it’s my responsibility to amplify the voices of those with similar experiences and backgrounds. Otherwise, we encourage silence among victims of sexual assault, and silence is the enemy of our time. Volunteering with SSAIS and SASH Club has solidified my commitment to this cause.
“My first project involves bring the SASH Club project to my high school beginning in 2024.”
Ahlam, a high school junior, was born in Saudia Arabia and moved to the U.S. for middle school. She loves spending time with her family and close friends. One of the ways Ahlam connects with her Ethiopian/Sudanese culture is by cooking dishes from her childhood. She plans to publish a cookbook and visit her hometown in the Middle East.
Ligaya S.
“From coaching young athletes to making mini documentaries about youth, I have seen the power of youth and believe they’re our hope for the future. However, for youth to make positive change, they must be protected.
“I have heard first-hand of the trauma and injustice that follow sexual assault. No one, especially children, should be forced to endure these harms. Working with SSAIS offers the opportunity to protect youth in today’s world, which often feels hopeless. The power of youth inspires hope.”
Ligaya, a high school junior, will be using her experience creating youth-focused documentary videos, which includes serving as a creative director for a drug prevention campaign (HelloFuture), to advance the work of SSAIS and SASH Club. In her spare time, Ligaya is a year-long athlete as she plays volleyball, basketball, and runs track. She also enjoying paddle boarding and jumping into Lake Washington and of course eating amazing food.
Watch Ligaya’s reel on youth leader Jocelyn.
Jocelyn C.
“I became involved with SSAIS to help young people become educated on sexual assault awareness and to help people who have been affected by sexual violence. I began working with SSAIS and SASH Club in April of 2024. I run the new TikTok accounts, write scripts for vertical content, and belong to a new independent virtual SASH Club. I recently participated in a Title IX youth panel webinar with our partner, MOASH.”
Read Jocelyn’s blog “Why We Need to Educate Students About Title IX” in the Women’s Media Center.
Jocelyn is a high school senior in Washington state. In her free time she enjoys writing and spending time with family.
Isabella A.
“From a young age, I’ve been passionate about making a positive impact in others’ lives and knowing I’ve somehow helped. As an intern at SASH Club, I am eager to contribute to their mission by understanding and addressing students’ experiences. I aspire to bring meaningful change to my peers through the SASH Club project.
“In my role as a youth leader, I’m excited to co-manage an Instagram account of supportive allies by providing valuable information through research, guides, and videos. I deeply admire SASH Club’s mission and the safe, supportive community it fosters. Meaningful conversations are important to me, and I am eager to be able to do this within the SASH Club community.”
Isabella is a high school senior eager to contribute new ideas in a collaborative environment. When she’s not going to community college or working, Isabella engages in volunteer work, playing instruments, tutoring, and tennis.
Tvisha M.
“I align with the mission of SSAIS and SASH Club because I believe that nothing should hinder one’s education. Sexual harassment and assault are significant obstacles that should not be part of any student’s experience. I care a lot about working to address these issues.”
“I’ve recently created Virtual SASH Club—a SASH Club where the meetings can be held online to facilitate discussions for students all around the world. If you’d like more information, or want to join, follow @virtualsashclub on Instagram!”
“I’m currently researching sexual harassment faced by female students pursuing STEM and possible solutions for an online article.”
Tvisha is a high school junior from Mill Creek, Washington, who’s always been interested in advocacy and STEM. Tivisha is eager to explore leveraging technology to support causes she’s passionate about.
Mailey M.
“After an experience of sexual violence, I realized that I had to do everything in my power to prevent at least one person from having to suffer the way I did. This realization sparked my activism in sexual violence prevention, and I discovered SASH Club. My school SASH Club now has over 40 members who are all dedicated to ending the tragedy that that is sexual violence in our school community.”
Mailey is a high school senior currently researching the prevalence of sexual harassment in central Mississippi suburban public schools. She wants to determine the best sexual violence prevention program to implement in her high school. She is also a volunteer peer tutor and is involved in her school’s theater program. Mailey is planning to pursue forensic pediatrics to further help young victims of sexual violence.
Here’s a sampling of contributions from our former youth advisors:
Kathryn LaLonde: Change in Schools Starts With Listening to Students (Ed Post), video interview
Minnah Stein: articles in Our Bodies Ourselves and Ms, a video segment from “Sexual Harassment: Not in Our School!“, and video interviews with Emily Lindin and Lauren Allen
Cate Bikales: A New Way to Combat High School Sexual Harassment and Assault (Women’s Media Center)
Chellie Labonete Mendoza: video on starting a gender equity club