Student Activist Network Against Sexual Assault (SANASA)

NYSCASA’s Student Activist Network Against Sexual Assault (SANASA) develops a statewide network of connected student activists leading efforts to increase campus engagement genuinely and to meaningfully meet survivors’ needs. We aim to ensure campus sexual assault survivors, especially historically underserved groups (including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, international students, immigrants, foster students, students with disabilities) receive responsive services and to promote accountability for individuals and institutions. We create collective space where information lives to support student activists and where students can connect with each other to get inspired and reduce isolation.

We are selecting a second phase of five student-led activist groups across New York State to receive training, peer support, and customized assistance from the summer of 2023 to the end of the spring semester in 2025. Our work together will include assessments that inform the development and implementation of plans based on your campus’ unique needs and resources. The goal is to establish sustainable, multi-level, community-specific approaches to address sexual violence on college campuses. Whether an established group on campus or a group of people just starting to organize, SANASA participants will grow their presence on campus over the cohort.

The first cohort of the Student Activist Network Against Sexual Assault ran from December 2021 to June 2023. We are accepting applications for our second cohort now!

Want to stop by and see how things go? All college students are invited to our All Campus Meetings held the final Friday of each month (holidays permitting). Click here to register for the All Campus Meetings and say hello! There is no obligations or fees for the All Campus Meetings.

Student activists are vital in moving campuses and communities forward in addressing sexual violence. Since the 1950’s and 60’s, the role of college students in social movements has been demonstrated time and again throughout the decades that have followed. Student activist efforts have successfully placed a much-needed spotlight on campus sexual assault and informed the national conversation in ways that inspired action including the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Campus Sexual Assault, Campus Accountability and Safety Act, It’s On Us Summit, campaigns, films, and the creation of activist-led organizations such as Spring Up!, One Love Foundation, and SurvJustice.

We are calling our group of student-led activists in the SANASA a “Cohort.” NYSCASA will host two Cohorts from 2021 to 2025.

Cohort 2’s application is now open! Cohort 2 will launch in August 2023 – stay tuned or get in touch with ebjorkman@nyscasa.org for more info.

SANASA Cohort 2 Timeline:

• June-August: Applications and Acceptances 
• Sept-Dec: Assessment and Models Sharing (Campus Check Ins and All Campus Meetings Begin)
• Jan OFF – Happy 2024 and Winter Break 
• Feb-May: Apply assessment finding and local launch 
• June-August: Summer Sessions (voluntary) 
• Sept-Dec: Full Programming Semester 1 
• Jan OFF – Happy 2025 and Winter Break 
• Feb-May: Full Programming Semester 2 and Wrap

SANASA Cohort Members receive many tangible benefits:

• Access to the SANASA’s Google Drive and Calendar
• Invite to the SANASA Discord
• Access to the Social Media Toolkit
• Individual Campus Check-Ins with NYSCASA
• Scheduling preferences for All Campus Meetings
• A modest budget to support local efforts
• Opportunities to travel / present virtually at conferences
• Increased support from NYSCASA staff
• Preference in NYSCASA Internships
• An option to become a SANASA Alumni Speaker after graduating

Cohort participants will be challenged to think critically about their student group and their campus, expand their own skillset, and grow from peer to peer learning objectives. With NYSCASA’s support, SANASA members will assess dynamics in their group and campus culture, listen to those community needs, and enhance their sexual violence advocacy efforts and student activist leadership on campus.

Expectations of SANASA members for successful outcomes include:

• A willingness to be open to self- and group-examination and change
• Participation of the student group leader(s) and student group advisor(s)
• Review/ use of information/ materials provided by NYSCASA, including the SANASA Social Media Toolkit
• Participation in a 30-minute to 1 hour individual campus check-in meeting the first week each month
• Participation in a 1-hour training/informational All Campus meeting each month with other campuses the final week of each month
• Collaboration with NYSCASA and other SANASA Campuses during each phase of the cohort
• Equipment/ technology needed to participate in videoconference calls, webinars, and other virtual meetings (e.g., computer with webcam and internet access)
• Throughout participants will review models to incorporate, organize and create a local plan that fits the groups needs and can meet its goals.
• Be an active member of the Network, share good news and lessons learned, and adapt as we all grow together.

A modest budget will be available to support student-led groups who are core members of the SANASA.

Student-led activist groups at a university or college based in New York State interested in improving sexual violence advocacy and activism efforts for their respective campus and community are eligible to apply.

Please note:

• A “student-led activist group” a number of of students engaging in activism and advocacy on your campus. Your student-led activist group does not need to be an “official” student organization recognized your college/university.
  • SANASA recognizes that activism can come in waves, and that all organizations have to start somewhere. Even if you don’t have an established group, you’re encouraged to apply. All it takes to start is a few people and a goal.
• Your student-led group must have an advisor of choice who, in conjunction with NYSCASA, is willing to mentor and support your group. The advisor can be a faculty member or professor, administrator, or employee of the college. The advisor will serve a key role to help your group complete cohort phases and to ensure your group’s efforts continue despite turnover (e.g., as seniors graduate).
• Any student at any type of college in New York are able to join; undergrad, PhD candidates, community colleges, etc.

Absolutely! The goals of SANASA are to raise awareness, share resources and information, practice/develop skills, build a collective vision, and be excellent with one another. This is why the All Campus Meetings, held the last week of each month, are open to any college student at any level. Reach out to info@nyscasa.org for the All Campus Meeting info. Click here for the registration for the All Campus Meetings.

SANASA uses the Student Survivor Survey Report from the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault, which gathered data on the experiences of survivors who experienced sexual violence during their time in college from 2017 to 2022, as an empirical backing for the Student Activist Network.

In terms of theoretical backing, NYSCASA is a trauma informed, anti-oppressive, and survivor centered organization, and those values extend to the Student Activist Network Against Sexual Assault. The SANASA is a group that intentionally humanizes and encourages people first and/or identity first language.

Applications will be reviewed by a committee. We make selections based on the student groups’ efforts regarding sexual violence education, prevention,  programming, and what supports are already in place.  We consider the attributes of each student group applicant and how those strengths promote success towards the student networks’ shared goals. NYSCASA prioritizes the recruitment of student groups representing marginalized communities (e.g., BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, immigrants), since they experience higher rates of sexual violence.