On October 15th, Socialists Alternative held a protest at the New Haven Green intended to bring justice and support for victims of sexual assault. All New Haven public school students were encouraged to attend at noon and many Co-op students walked out of school to attend.

When we arrived, we were immediately greeted by a Yale University student who offered us posters and a paper that carried detailed information about the protest and why we were there. There was also a paper with a list of chants that we were expected to shout. 

“Say it loud, say it clear / We believe survivors here!” 

“We are all Jane Doe / Cornell 7 has got to go” 

“No more silence, no more cries / we will not be victimized!”. 

Students from Hamden High, Hillhouse, Yale, Sound School, and Wilbur Cross made speeches reflecting on how sexual assaults had impacted their lives and how things have got to change. The writers of this article also shared words with the crowd about attacks we have experienced. As arts students comfortable with public speaking, we also stepped up to help a Sound School student read her amazing poem to the crowd because she was too nervous on her own (shout out to Katie!). After Julian performed Katie’s poem, Kira shared a very emotional story about a girl getting sexually assaulted at her school. Kira spoke about how no justice was offered despite several adults knowing about the assault. 

More than 50 fraternity members from the Cornell group chat knew about the recent assault of Jane Doe at their campus party. And none of them did anything. The assault occurred in 2024 – why are we only hearing about it now? This is just one of many examples of how sexual assault survivors get pushed aside like their voices don’t matter. And how things like this get swept under the rug by men in power. By the men with money, large homes, connections, etc. Fear of these same people are why sexual assault victims don't speak out and tell their story. 

At the rally a student from Yale spoke on the difference in the numbers from the investigated sexual assault cases vs. expulsions on university campuses across the country. And it’s important to note that not all expelled students received prison sentences. At University of California Berkeley there were 155 assaults investigated and only three people were expelled. It's honestly disappointing how these prestigious university administrators care more about their reputation than their own students. They need to do better. 

Another sad example of sexual assaults at schools includes a New Haven student who was allegedly sexually assaulted by the Assistant Principal of Hillhouse. At the rally, kids at Hillhouse shared that they weren't even allowed to talk about the case in their school. The teachers would shut the conversation down or change the topic. They should be able to talk about things like this. Sexual assault is traumatizing and students should be able to receive the support that they deserve. NHPS needs to do better for their students. 

Everyone has a voice. It's time we use it to speak up against sexual assault. Because if we as high school students don’t – who will? At the rally there were more high school students than adults. That needs to change. It doesn’t matter if you're young, old, tall, short, black, white, Asian, Hispanic, or queer. WE ALL HAVE A VOICE. WE ARE ALL JANE DOE. 

I will never stop fighting for the victims until we get justice. I will not stop fighting for the oppressed when I have a voice to use and words to say. I will not stop fighting for our rights, our future, and our community!