The following is a press release from Dollar Donations’ fundraising partner Stop Sexual Assault in Schools (SSAIS) that announces the launch of another FREE and beneficial resource for K-12 students.
OLYMPIA, WA – Stop Sexual Assault in Schools announced today the launch of the bold new initiative SASH Club to empower youth ages 13+ to take action against sexual harassment and assault.
SASH Club provides a groundbreaking set of free online, ready-to-use tools at www.sashclub.org for youth of all genders, races, ethnicities, and orientations to start the discussion and educate themselves and others about sexual harassment and assault, support survivors, and make real change in their schools and communities.
This new initiative targets a national epidemic of sexual harassment and assault among youth that disrupts or derails countless young lives. According to an AAUW national study*, half of teens of all genders in grades 7-12 report being sexually harassed at school each year, with 1 in 5 girls reporting that they have been sexually assaulted at school.
“Sexual harassment and violence in K-12 schools are extremely serious problems that bleed into the entire school community. Because schools are not prioritizing safe learning environments, it is imperative that students drive the change,” says Esther Warkov, Executive Director and co-founder of the nonprofit Stop Sexual Assault in Schools.
“SASH Club’s approach is revolutionary: its resources empower students to immediately address sexual harassment and assault through dialogue, mutual support, and action. Because SASH Club materials are freely downloadable for anyone to use, even without starting a chapter, millions of youth can learn about issues that impact their lives and take corrective actions. These tools enable young people to influence not only peers but administrators and other local decision-makers to effect change. So SASH Club’s benefit to individual students, the school community, and society as a whole is far-reaching and lasting,” says Warkov.
Youth are encouraged to form a Students Against Sexual Harassment chapter – a SASH Club – using the online startup kit that provides downloadable launch materials, guidance, and suggested activities. SASH Clubs may choose from the many “SASH Club Power Topics” presentations to stimulate discussion about ending sexual harassment and assault and to organize activities in their school or community.
The 12 SASH Club Power Topics, available to anyone, cover high-interest issues typically overlooked by school curricula including: consent, reporting sexual harassment, dating violence, what to do if sexually assaulted, rape culture/victim blaming, alcohol and date rape drugs, supporting LGBTQ+ students, and more. More SASH Club Power Topics will be released throughout the school year.
SASH Club tools are designed to make a broad impact: in schools, youth organizations, community groups, scouting, and youth faith-based organizations.
The SASH Club national launch follows a highly successful year-long pilot program and employs a national online advertising and social media campaign aimed at teens and youth-serving organizations. SASH Club is guided by the experienced advocates, academics, legal and sexual assault experts, and student advocates affiliated with the nonprofit Stop Sexual Assault in Schools.
Watch the SASH Club 30-second online ad “Together We Can Change This.”
A BIG thanks to everyone who has already donated to SSAIS. We encourage you to donate again or donate for the first time. Your dollars support the important work SSAIS is doing to protect K-12 students from sexual harassment and assault.
Uniting The Power Of One 