We are so impressed by how many folks in the BARCC community have already contacted their legislators to advocate for survivor-centered policies. Let’s keep the momentum going and finish the 2024 legislative session strong! It’s not too late to join our final push for policies that prevent sexual violence and support survivors. The current legislative session ends on July 31, and BARCC is focused on getting these two vital agenda items passed this year:
VOCA Bridge
What would it mean to lose 18% of your car? What would happen if you forgot 18% of the ingredients in your cookie recipe? Or if 18% of your teammates were sidelined for the big game?
Due to cuts in federal funding for survivor services, BARCC may lose 18% of its funding that provides survivors with free, high-quality services. To ensure we can best support all survivors who reach out, we are advocating for the VOCA Bridge, a multi-year funding request to the MA Legislature for vital survivor services. Everything you need to advocate for the VOCA Bridge and contact your representatives is on our Advocacy Toolkit.
Healthy Youth Act
The Healthy Youth Act (HYA) would require any public school that already chooses to teach sex ed to provide a “medically accurate, age-appropriate, comprehensive sexual health education.” This year, the HYA was passed by the Senate for the fifth time in the act’s history. However, it has never been passed by both chambers. Another year can’t go by without data collection and curriculum review procedures to ensure students can learn accurate, life-changing information on how to build healthy relationships with their bodies and others. Contact your representatives today.
