Mission
End Rape on Campus (EROC) works to end campus sexual violence through direct support for survivors and their communities; prevention through education; and policy reform at the campus, local, state, and federal levels.
Vision
We envision a world in which each individual has an educational experience free from violence, and until then, that all survivors are believed, trusted, and supported.
Approach
Direct Support
EROC directly assists student survivors and their communities. Our work includes, but is not limited to, establishing support networks, filing federal complaints, and mentoring student activists. We help students organize for change on campus as well as work with administrators to ensure best practices are in place and enforced. Though we are not mental health or legal professionals, we are able to connect survivors to our growing network of mental health professionals and lawyers as needed.
Education
EROC trains and develops resources for staff, students, groups, and individuals on how to prevent sexual assault and support survivors, as well as the rights of students under applicable federal and state laws. EROC also provides media trainings to journalists on how to appropriately cover topics related to sexual violence.
Policy Reform
EROC advocates for fair and equitable sexual assault and interpersonal violence policies and legislation on the campus, local, state, and federal levels. We support reforms that ensure holistic support for all survivors, statewide affirmative consent standards, and federal accountability for Title IX, Title II, and Clery Act enforcement.
OUR TEAM
Kenyora Lenair Parham, MSW
Executive Director
(pronouns: she/her)
A champion of resilience and empowerment, Kenyora believes in “walking in your own truth with the courage to love yourself first, then others.” With an analytical and creative solutions mindset, Kenyora has served over the past decade working with youth and families, college students and administrators, and community and government leaders, including the late Mayor Thomas M. Menino of Boston, MA, and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley in her former capacity as the Boston City Councilwoman.
Prior to joining EROC, she worked for several non-profit organizations and higher-education institutions including Brandeis University, Strong Women, Strong Girls, and Simmons University. Kenyora currently serves on several boards including the President of the African-American Alumnae/i Association of Simmons University and an Advisory Board member for The Every Voice Coalition and Culture of Respect. Formerly, Kenyora served on the Alumni Association Board at Boston University’s School of Social Work.
Kenyora also holds a Certificate in Community Leadership and Social Change from the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University through the Institute for Nonprofit Practice. In 2016, Kenyora was recognized as a finalist for the EXTRAordinary Women campaign led by the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement in Boston, MA. In 2021, she was named a “Leader on Fire” by IGNITE National during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. She is a proud alumna of Girls, Inc. of Lynn and proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She resides in the DMV area with her husband Franklin and their two cats, King and Leo.
Sarah McPherson, MSW
Program Manager
(pronouns: she/her)
Sarah McPherson is originally from Toronto, Canada, and grew up in Tracy, California and State College, Pennsylvania. After spending a year in Finland, she attended American University and The University of Pittsburgh, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and anthropology. She received her Master of Social Work (MSW) from Baylor University. Sarah has been working in relationship violence prevention since 2014; after working in the central TX community and in the Title IX department at Baylor, she moved back to central PA, and most recently served for 3 years as the Director of Outreach & Education at Centre Safe, the local DV/SA nonprofit. Sarah also currently teaches for Baylor’s Garland School of Social Work online MSW program. Sarah has two young kiddos, two cats, one dog, and a growing collection of 20+ plants.
Kaitie Chakoian
Campus Policy Manager
(pronouns: she/her)
Kaitie Chakoian grew up in Wilmington, MA. She moved to Boston in 2006 and stayed for nearly a decade. Now Kaitie lives on Long Island in NY. She studied psychology and social justice at Simmons College, earned a Master of Education (M.Ed) from Northeastern University, and is currently a doctoral candidate at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. Kaitie has spent her career supporting folks impacted by gender-based violence and brings a wealth of experience working with volunteers and managing research and evaluation projects to that work. She currently volunteers with a social justice organization that works to end partner abuse in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, BDSM, polyamorous, and queer communities. Kaitie is also completing her dissertation on the experiences of college sexual assault survivors navigating the education, healthcare, and criminal-legal systems in the aftermath of violence. Kaitie has a wonderful rescue mutt named Neville Longtail who she adores hiking and cuddling with.
Angelina Cantelli
Program Assistant
(pronouns: she/her)
Angelina Cantelli is originally from Prairieville, Louisiana. She completed her undergraduate education at Louisiana State University, earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor’s of Arts in English. She now lives in Dallas, Texas and is a student in Fordham University’s online Master of Social Work program. Angelina passionately believes that every person has the right to a healthy community and that institutions have the responsibility of creating safe environments for all of their members. Before working for EROC, Angelina was the founder and president of Tigers Against Sexual Assault, a student organization at LSU, and an intern at STAR, the only sexual trauma center in the LSU area. Angelina spends most of her time hanging out with loved ones, writing poetry, and/or drinking matcha. She also loves trying new coffee shops and practicing yoga!
Sopubekova Datkaiym IREX CEE Fellow
(pronouns: she/her)
Sopubekova Datkaiym is a community facilitator with the Aga Khan Development Network. In this role, she strengthens community involvement and investment in local schools in Kyrgyzstan. She has experience working to develop school boards to oversee school budgets, program implementation and performance evaluations. As a UNICEF Volunteer has helped provide access to resources for young people exposed to domestic violence and gender-based violence.
For the Fall Semester, as an IREX CEE Fellow, Datkaiym will complete her practicum with our team in hopes to expand policies in schools that specifically focus on gender equity and are committed to preventing violence against women.
End Rape On Campus is housed at Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that uses organizing, engagement and public awareness to address some of our nation’s most pressing challenges. Civic Nation works with public and private partners to inspire, educate and activate people around the issues that are important to our country.
