Every Voice Massachusetts Bill to Combat Campus Sexual Violence Signed Into Law
The trailblazing student and survivor written bill makes history in Massachusetts after 6 long years of advocacy
BOSTON, MA: On January 12, 2021, Governor Charlie Baker signed an “An Act relative to sexual violence on higher education campuses” into law. After 6 long years of student and survivor advocacy, this bill makes history. This bill is the final version of the Every Voice Coalition’s original bill, first written and filed by student advocates in 2015.
The Every Voice Bill will enact comprehensive measures to combat sexual violence and support survivors studying at Massachusetts' private, public, and community colleges and universities. Specifically, the legislation will ensure:
Access to free medical and legal support services
Anti-retaliation protections for reporting parties from being punished for breaking school code of conduct at the time of an assault
Confidential advising services that clarify survivors' rights & options
Transparent data on sexual violence, gathered anonymously and published publicly
Universal, evidence-based annual prevention and response training for employees and students
The Every Voice Bill was written by students, survivors, and young alumni in Massachusetts through collaboration with lead sponsors Representative Lori Ehrlich, Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Senator Michael Moore, and Senator William Brownsberger. In addition, the bill’s passage was made possible by the tenacious support of its 160 co-sponsors across the House and the Senate.
The Every Voice Bill was also created through close collaboration with Massachusetts and national partner organizations, including Jane Doe Inc., The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, Massachusetts Office for Victims Assistance, the Boston Office on Women’s Advancement, Know Your IX, SurvJustice, End Rape on Campus, It’s On Us, No More, and the National Women’s Law Center.
Over 6 years, students came together - from Umass Amherst to Bridgewater State, from Northeastern to Wellesley to Harvard, from Bunker Hill to Quinsigamond Community College. With patience and determination, advocates came together at the 2018 rally at the State House, the 2019 statewide summit, the 2020 virtual advocacy day, and at many hearings in between. It is to the students and survivors who shaped the legislation and paved the path for its passage that the Every Voice Coalition, and all those who come to study in Massachusetts’ higher education, are indebted.
National Context
For decades, students have been advocating for basic rights, protections, and support in regards to sexual violence in higher education environments. Deemed a “silent epidemic” by the American Medical Association, sexual violence in higher education is a longstanding and insidious issue impacting 1 in 10 students and disproportionately impacting marginalized identities and vulnerable populations.
The Every Voice Bill was first passed in New Hampshire in June 2020. It has also been filed in Connecticut, Hawaii, and Illinois. The Coalition is set to re-file bills in 2021 in these states as well as file new bills in Maine, Nevada, and New Mexico. Every Voice believes that students, no matter where they study, should have access to basic protections against sexual violence.
Words of Support
“Student and survivor voices have been silenced for far too long,” said Lily James, Mount Holyoke College class of 2021 and co-Executive Director for the Every Voice Coalition. “Our grassroots movement was founded and is led by students and survivors, truly showing the power of young leaders in creating real and lasting change. Young people are paving the way in so many political spaces, our voices must be centered and our lead must be followed-- It doesn’t end in MA, we are ready to impact change in states across the country.”
“Over the past six years survivors, students, and advocates tirelessly fought on behalf of our rights; survivors’ rights,” said Nora Gallo, co-Executive Director for the Every Voice Coalition and 2020 Umass, Amherst Alumna. “After decades of zero protections under Massachusetts law, our student survivors will have access to the support, resources, and guidance needed to thrive in higher education. This student-written, survivor-centered law sends a message to survivors and students across the state and country that they matter, and after being silenced for so long, that their voices are finally heard.”
"The student advocates at Every Voice were tireless in their fight for this legislation, as well organized and informed in their efforts as any professional advocacy organization," said Co-Lead Sponsor and State Representative Lori Ehrlich, who co-filed the bill at the legislature. "I am thrilled that this bill has made it to the Governor's desk. This is a victory for students throughout the Commonwealth, and clear evidence of what youth activists can accomplish when they come together for change. I am proud to have worked alongside them."
"With this legislation, Massachusetts has demonstrated its commitment to making campuses safe for students and survivors," said the House’s Higher Education Chair Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin). "It was a privilege to work with student advocates like Every Voice, along with my colleagues, representatives from our colleges and universities, and other groups who helped refine this comprehensive legislation. The dedication and commitment to getting it right enabled us to address these important issues and offer robust educational opportunities and support for students, faculty and staff at our prized institutions of higher education."
"We know how difficult it can be for survivors of sexual assault to come forward and speak to anyone about what they experienced, and that when they do, they are often met with disbelief and limited resources for support. This new law will address both of these concerns as well as put an emphasis on prevention, " said Hema Sarang-Sieminski, Policy Director at Jane Doe Inc., the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. "Too often students’ lives and educational pursuits are disrupted by the sexual assault they experience. We look forward to working with EVC, JDI's 59 member organizations across Massachusetts, and other partners to help support a comprehensive approach to addressing the prevalence of sexual violence and the serious impacts on students and communities."
The Every Voice Coalition (www.everyvoicecoalition.org) is an entirely student and survivor-led organization working to pass student and survivor-written, survivor-centered legislation on the state level to prevent campus sexual violence and support survivors Today, Every Voice bills have been passed in five states: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Illinois, Nevada, and Connecticut. The Coalition is currently working in 12 states.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Bella T Fong | bfong@everyvoicecoalition.org
