The Student Survivor Caucus (SSC) is a network of collegiate student survivors across the United States who want to bring anti-sexual violence work to their campuses or communities by receiving support from EROC staff in the development and execution of their own organizing skills and advocacy efforts. Using our Centering the Margins framework, SSC is built on three pillars – Survivorship & Wellness, Sexual Assault Awareness & Education, and Social & Political Activism. As a group, student survivors will meet each month to learn from guest speakers, share experiences and ideas, and develop action plans for change at the campus, local, state, and national levels.
We believe that to eliminate sexual assault and violence from our college campuses and communities, we must engage in participatory-based action and activism. That is, we must work alongside and involve at every step, survivors of campus and other sexual assault. In line with our Centering the Margins framework, we also believe that the voices and experiences of survivors from marginalized identities must be brought to the forefront if we are to truly work to eliminate relationship violence.
We can’t do this work without putting survivors of all backgrounds and identities at the forefront. We can’t do this work without you!
APPLICATION COMING SOON!
Why the Student Survivor Caucus?
- EROC has a responsibility to invest in the future of this movement, by providing opportunities to educate, engage with, and work alongside young folks and survivors.
- At EROC, we do this work for survivors, with survivors. That is imperative, that is essential. We believe survivors, always. Survivors know their experience, know what they need and don’t need, and know where change needs to happen.
- In alignment with our Centering The Margins framework, we recognize the need to create and cultivate intentional spaces that center survivors at the margins – that is – survivors with intersecting, historically and systematically marginalized, identities.
- We believe that in order to end sexual violence, we have to think outside the box. There was a time before Title IX, a time before Clery, a time before the 15th Amendment, a time before all of the important policies, laws, and guidance that have led us to where we are now. We are asking – what is it that we need next? What is the policy or action that will define “the time before” that we are in right now? What will truly push us forward in this movement? What haven’t we thought of, who haven’t we listened to, what haven’t we tried? We hope the SSC will help answer these questions and guide us all to the next big thing in the movement to end sexual violence.
Who Can Participate?
The SSC is open to college student survivors of sexual violence/assault, undergraduate and graduate. We are also intentionally looking to build a diverse group of student survivors from historically marginalized identities (such as people of color, LGBTQ+, indigenous/Native people, Immigrants, people with disabilities/neurodiversity, etc.) and/or institutions (such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Community Colleges, etc.). This is open to people across the United States + territories.
Participants should be able to attend two virtual meetings a month; the schedule will be determined based on participant availability as indicated on the completed application. It is estimated an additional 3-5 hours will be required each month outside of these meetings. Participants will need access to the internet and necessary technology for Zoom meetings and email/Slack communication.
What Will the SSC Look Like?
We aim to bring at least 50 current student survivors to meet regularly and engage in action in your communities and at the state and national levels. The EROC team, along with guest speakers who work in the anti-violence movement, will be meeting with the group throughout the fall, providing learning opportunities to build your knowledge base and skills around things like advocacy, organizing, policy, and survivorship. There will also be opportunities to engage in action and attend virtual “field trips.”. In the spring, the focus shifts to action, as you will be working in groups and with the support of EROC, to develop and execute an action plan, culminating in a week of action in April. Throughout the program, we will also be getting to know one another, building relationships and a network of colleagues across the country.
For a more detailed look, click here to see the program schedule!
SSC representatives will receive a full syllabus and additional materials prior to the start of the program.
When and How?
Student Survivor Caucus runs during the with meetings running twice monthly from September to May.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@endrapeoncampus.org.
