In an exciting
announcement and a first for the celebrated organization, I Have The Right To launches a nationwide pledge to ensure
all students receive an education free from sexual assault.
The I Have The Right To Pledge is for students, parents,
educators, and community members to publicly commit to supporting survivors of
sexual assault and to protecting young people from future assaults. All are
invited to sign starting today.
The Pledge is
born from I Have The Right To's work supporting and advocating for survivors of
sexual assault following the 2014 assault of Chessy Prout, who co-founded the
organization with her parents.
"The I
Have The Right To Pledge is a public commitment to what we have known all
along: that keeping students safe from sexual assault requires bold action from
adults and from our institutions," says co-founder Alex Prout.
The launch of
the Pledge comes ahead of I Have The Right To's fifth anniversary and coincides
with the launch of the organization's new website.
READ MORE: The Mama Bear Effect launches new resource to combat child sexual abuse
"We take
our mission seriously," says I Have The Right To Executive Director
Elizabeth Zeigler. "We are creating an ecosystem of respect and support
for students and survivors. Our new website is one such space: a place where
students, parents, and educators can find the information, support, and avenues
of action they need to make a difference against sexual assault."
I Have The
Right To was founded following the viral #IHaveTheRightTo social media
campaign, in which millions of individuals made their own declarations against
sexual assault, and following the release of Chessy Prout's memoir by the same name.
Sexual
violence is an epidemic among young people and in schools across the country.
By the time students finish their education, 81% have experienced some form of sexual harassment. In
middle school alone, one in five students experiences unwanted physical contact.
Once an
assault happens, young survivors of sexual violence and their families face a
cycle of shame, blame, and isolation. Worse yet, few perpetrators are held
accountable. Out of 1,000 assaults, 975 perpetrators will walk free.
Says
co-founder Susan Prout, "We are working towards the day where we can look
back and say 'I can't believe students used to be sexually assaulted and told
to be quiet.'"
To commit your
name to ensuring all students receive an education free from sexual
assault, sign the I Have The Right To Pledge today. You can also
follow and engage with I Have The Right To on Instagram and LinkedIn.
I Have The
Right To is the hub for middle and high school students, parents, and educators
looking for information, support, and avenues of action against sexual
assault.
They provide
actionable support and tactical resources to survivors of sexual assault and
their parents and communities; curate curricula and training in partnership
with middle and high school educators, administrators, and parents; and build
online spaces that value and promote social and emotional education. Learn more
at https://www.ihavetherightto.org.