According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), females ages 16 to 19 are four times more likely than the general population to be victims of sexual violence. 

In the Monadnock region, the End Sexual Violence on Campus organization is a youth-led mutual aid organization that brings awareness to sexual violence and more specifically sexual violence against youth. On April 27, the group will be holding its fourth annual April event in Putnam Park in Peterborough from 4 to 6 p.m. 

ESVOC worked with ConVal administrators and state legislators on state graduation requirements for health education between September 2020 and April 2021. On May 27, 2022, Gov. Chris Sununu signed HB1263, which included a provision for school boards to “ensure that health education, physical education to include the importance of exercise, and wellness are taught to pupils as part of the curriculum, specifically to include physiology, hygiene, health and interpersonal relationships, physical education, and wellness, as they relate to the effects of alcohol and other drugs, prevention of sexual violence, child abuse as established in the definition of abused child’ under RSA 169-C:3, II, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and sexually transmitted diseases on the human system.”

The April 27 event is a way for the group to “let the community know what resources are available to them, spread awareness and break down stigmas around sexual violence,” stated ConVal High School senior and ESVOC member Laura Phillips. It will include multiple speakers, and various organizations will set up tables to spread awareness about mutual aid, consent education and “simply starting the conversation about sexual violence” in general, according to Phillips.

“The event is open to all and there is no pressure to stay the whole time. Just stop by and see what it’s all about,'' Phillips said.

Through the event, ESVOC has supported organizations such as Keene Mutual Aid Fund and Reproductive Freedom Fund of NH, along with state Rep. Amanda Toll and state Rep. Jonah Wheeler.

ESVOC has also partnered with groups like Revolution Ethics Project, the Mariposa Museum and Peterborough Town Library to boost its voice in the community. 

“ESVOC is an organization that represents the solidarity we have with survivors of sexual assault  and it serves as a support network for those in need,” Phillips said. “Ideally, ESVOC is helping survivors feel seen and understood in the work we do, specifically with our consent education bill and yearly consent survey.”