Consent bill needed

I am 16. At a young age, I came to know what yes and no mean. I’ve witnessed and experienced many forms of sexual assault already. Experiencing sexual violence creates unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol or drug use, and even suicide. This impacts our entire future. If we educate youth about consent, it will prevent sexual violence and some of the unhealthy coping mechanisms used to survive it.

I and other New Mexico teens worked for two years to pass a bill requiring teaching consent in New Mexico schools. Last session, it won bipartisan support but died when a committee ran out of time to hear all the bills. We desperately need consent to be taught in our schools. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham can put the affirmative consent bill on her call for the 2022 session. Please contact her office now to ask her to ensure this bill is heard.

Farrah Baker Santa Fe