Rep. Kuster’s discussion with sexual violence prevention advocates.

A high resolution version of this photo is available here.

This discussion can be viewed here. 

Today, Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02), the founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence, held a virtual conversation with sexual and domestic violence prevention advocates to discuss and celebrate the passage of the Every Voice Act in the New Hampshire legislature. The Every Voice Act, which will take effect in January 2021, enacts comprehensive measures to combat sexual violence and support survivors on New Hampshire’s college campuses. One in every five women, and one in every 16 men, will be sexually assaulted during their college experience.  Yet only 5-10 percent of survivors will report their experience - making sexual violence the most underreported crime on college campuses.

“The Every Voice Bill is a win for Granite States students, and I was so honored to discuss this critical legislation with these advocates and champions,” said Rep. Kuster. “While Congress has been fighting to protect students and stop Betsy DeVos’s disastrous new Title IX rule, it is wonderful to see states like New Hampshire stepping up to support survivors and ensure they have the rights and protections they deserve. I thank today’s participants for their dedication to this issue, and I look forward to our continued work together to combat sexual violence and keep students safe.” 

"We must listen to and engage with our younger generation,” said New Hampshire State Senator Martha Hennessey. “They are on the front line of everyday college life, and they are our future. I have huge admiration for all the work John Gabrieli and Every Voice Coalition are doing to protect young people in New Hampshire. What a treat it was to work with them on SB 705 and to make NH the leader in sexual assault prevention in higher education." 

"On behalf of students and survivors in New Hampshire, we'd like to thank Congresswoman Kuster for her leadership on this critical issue,” said John Gabrieli, Executive Director of the Every Voice Coalition. “In passing the Every Voice bill, New Hampshire's message to survivors of campus 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."

Rep. Kuster was joined by:

• Senator Martha Hennessey
• John Gabrieli, Executive Director of the Every Voice Coalition
• Sophia Miller, Co-Chair of Every Voice NH & Dartmouth College student
• Pamela Keilig, Public Policy Specialist at the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence

The Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence, of which Rep. Kuster is a co-chair, works to raise awareness and propose solutions to the challenges posed by sexual assault and violence. The Task Force’s areas of focus include: K-12 education, campus sexual violence, the rape kit backlog, military sexual trauma, improved data and collection, online harassment, and law enforcement training. Congresswoman Kuster has long been a champion for survivors of sexual violence, sharing her own personal experiences involving sexual assault on the House floor and joining with 17 other Members of Congress to read Emily Doe’s open letter describing her attack and ensuing trial – which marked the first time a victim’s statement has been read in full in the House chambers.

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