10/09/2026
When a survivor comes forward, what happens next matters. The systems they are asked to navigate (universities, Title IX processes, law enforcement, courts, etc.) can shape their safety, privacy, education, livelihood and future. Survivors deserve support and systems that understand what is at stake and are committed to protecting their rights.
Recent attention on the Cornell case involving Jane Doe and the 57 men, who either perpetrated or were complicit in her r**e, has brought renewed scrutiny to the campus and criminal systems survivors are forced to engage with after experiencing sexual violence. But this is not an isolated incident. Every year, thousands of college students experience sexual assault. About 1 in 6 women, 1 in 13 men, and 1 in 5 transgender and gender-diverse students experience sexual assault during college.
Behind every statistic is a person trying to move forward while confronting systems that can feel confusing, adversarial, and overwhelming. A survivor may be going through a Title IX investigation, civil protection order process, housing or employment issues, privacy violations, or the criminal system while trying to heal and continue with their education and life. No survivor should have to navigate these systems alone.
Last month, SVLC’s Lunch Matter CLE was on Navigating the Title IX Process. We led this training because every day, we stand along survivors like Jane Doe and see firsthand how difficult and traumatic these systems are. SVLC exists to make sure survivors have an attorney in their corner.
This is why SVLC’s survivor-centered legal services matter. Your support helps ensure that when a survivor reaches out, there is someone ready to answer. Because believing survivors means more than listening, it means making sure they have access to the legal services they need.
And while this work can be heavy, we believe joy belongs here too. Join us for our annual SVLC Plays: Welcome to Oz on October 29! Come on over the rainbow for an evening of joy, rage, creativity, and collective power, all while raising funds to keep free legal services available to survivors across Washington. Get your tickets at www.givebutter.com/svlcplays
