Governor Sununu Signs Student-Written Legislation to Combat Campus Sexual Violence
New Hampshire Enacts First Ever Legislation Addressing Sexual Assault on College Campuses
Concord NH: On Monday, 7/20, Governor Chris T. Sununu signed HB 705, enacting key measures to combat sexual violence in New Hampshire incuding the Every Voice Bill, the first piece of legislation in New Hampshire history that is aimed specifically at curbing rape and sexual assault on college campuses. Previously, despite evidence that more than 1 in 10 college students in New Hampshire experience sexual assault, New Hampshire was one of thirty states with no laws in place addressing campus sexual violence. Now, New Hampshire has enacted one of the most comprehensive bills addressing campus sexual violence of any state in the country.
The Every Voice Bill, originally filed as SB 679, is unique in that it was authored by students and survivors of sexual violence, in collaboration with lead sponsor Martha Hennessey and the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.
In addition to drafting the legislation, members of the Every Voice Coalition in New Hampshire led advocacy efforts in support of its passage. Students and alumni from Dartmouth College, the University of New Hampshire, Keene State College, and schools across New Hampshire contributed to drafting the legislation, and made hundreds of phone calls to legislators from both parties to urge for the bill’s passage.
The Every Voice Bill will enact comprehensive measures to combat sexual violence and support survivors on New Hampshire’s college campuses. Specifically, the legislation will ensure:
Free access to medical and legal support services
Anti-retaliation protections for reporting parties
Confidential advising services that clarify survivors' rights & options
Transparent data on sexual violence
Universal, evidence-based prevention and response training
Words of Support
“I joined Every Voice because I saw the impact of sexual violence on my friends and on my community, and I felt powerless,” said Every Voice New Hampshire Co-Chair and Dartmouth student Sophia Miller. “Now, students and survivors have written legislation that will make campuses safer for generations to come. To every student that feels voiceless, I want to tell you: your voice matters. When students stand together, we can achieve real, meaningful change.”
“For decades, survivors of sexual violence have been ignored, silenced, and erased,” said John Gabrieli, Executive Director of the Every Voice Coalition. “Now, students and survivors have risen up and written their own civil rights into law. In passing HB 705, New Hampshire’s message today to survivors of campus-based sexual violence is clear: We hear you. We believe you. We support you. And we will do what it takes to make sure that every voice is heard.”
“The Every Voice Bill, which will make our state a national leader in the fight to end campus sexual assault, comes from student grassroots organizing and advocacy across New Hampshire,” said lead sponsor Senator Martha Hennessey. “I am proud to have filed this legislation on behalf of students and survivors in our state, and grateful to all of those who have worked for its passage.”
“I’m very pleased to see this important bill become law, which empowers survivors of sexual assault with the protections and rights they need and deserve. This new law is a testament to the determined efforts of students, survivors and advocates throughout our state,” said U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen. “Our laws must support survivors of sexual assault, which remains one of the most underreported crimes, particularly on college campuses. I appreciate Senator Hennessey’s tireless work to get this legislation through the state legislature and am proud that New Hampshire is the first state to respond to the misguided Title IX changes.”
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
