There is much that government can do to reduce sexual violence and improve care for survivors. This list details policy positions and governmental actions that Survivors to Superheroes asks government to consider in order to improve the lives of survivors and lessen the scourge of sexual violence. By no means is this list an exhaustive one; we envision this page as a living document, intended to be updated at regular intervals as policy research progresses and as more issues are brought to our attention. While Survivors to Superheroes intends to support survivors across national borders, this list is primarily focused on the American government. If you feel this list is missing something, please contact us through the form found at the bottom of this page.

1. Universal Paid Leave for Survivors: The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was transformative when passed, but it does not go far enough. Nearly half of all workers in the US are not covered by this legislation today. Furthermore, the FMLA only provides for 12 weeks of unpaid leave. Survivors also may not qualify for leave through the FMLA to go to court or pursue support services. To adequately support survivors, we must provide paid leave for all activities pertaining to an instance of sexual violence for survivors and their loved ones.

    

2. More SANEs Across the Country: The US is experiencing a shortage in nursing staff writ large. There is an even more crucial shortage in access to SANEs. Survivors are more likely to be offered services and resources following an instances of sexual violence when treated by a SANE, and more frequently accept them (Hollender et al., 2023). Survivors, and particularly survivors in rural areas, may have to travel many miles to reach a medical facility where they can access a SANE. There are a number of ways governments can address this problem. Incentives could be offered to universities to promote SANE training; similarly, incentives could be offered to medical facilities that have SANEs on staff. Minimum SANE staffing requirements could also be imposed on medical facilities. Regardless of the means, governments must increase access to SANEs to support survivors. Training programs could be improved by increasing the presence of social workers at facilities where SANEs practice medicine. Training for SANEs and social workers should also implement inclusive sex education. Steps must be taken to mitigate the negative effects that contact with social workers has had on survivors of color and their families, including reforming the mandated reporter process. Above all else, care for survivors must be prioritized throughout this process.

    

3. Legal Abortion: Abortion rights have recently come under attack from right-wing theocrats. Roe v. Wade has been overturned by an extreme, right-wing Supreme Court that has disregarded precedent like no court before, effectively ending federal protection for abortion. A person’s bodily autonomy should not change as they cross state lines. The solution is simple: Congress must codify the right to access safe and legal abortions.

    

4. Sex Education: Sexual education curriculums are woefully ineffective. Understanding consent at early ages is critical to preventing sexual violence. States should work with non-profit groups that support survivors to revamp the sex education curriculum that is taught at grade schools. Curriculums should be expanded in both content and breadth and taught in places other than just schools, such as youth sports teams, community centers, and various other locations. It is important these curriculums be developed using an evidence-based approach. Consent education should be implemented at each grade level as it is developmentally appropriate. Members of any organization tasked with caring for minors should undergo comprehensive training in teaching inclusive sex education.

    

5. Title IX Offices: Title IX offices on college campuses across the country have proven themselves to be ineffective in handling instances of sexual violence on campuses. Governments should work with survivor-supporting organizations to create more effective Title IX legislation that will protect students, staff, and faculty alike. Importantly, Title IX offices should operate independently from the university at which they are housed so as to avoid influence from administration. In the past, Title IX offices have been used to deflate counts of instances of sexual violence in order to preserve the image of the campus. These institutions should be dedicated to the protection of survivors, not the image of the university. Title IX offices should commit to implementing consequences for any member of the community that violates campus rules regarding sexual violence. They should also commit to minimizing police involvement by not forcing students to file police reports in order to file a Title IX complaint.