Governor Andrew Cuomo has been targeting sexual assaults on college campus, and there's a growing movement among high school girls to support this initiative. NY1's Cheryl Wills filed this report.
"I'm a liar and a slut to everybody and it doesn't even matter what actually happened,"
She's still in high school but Winnifred Bonjean-Alpart is tackling a very adult subject: sexual assault.
She's rehearsing for a play with her fellow students to draw attention to an issue that Governor Andrew Cuomo has been highlighting: sexual assault on college campuses.
The production, by a theater program called The Arts Effect, is called "SLUT."
"We wanted to put it out there. We wanted a title that packs a punch," says co-author Katie Cappiello.
Katie Cappiello and Meg McInerney are directing the play, which is based on a book they co-authored about sexism and sexual violence.
The project coincides with the creation of new policies at SUNY schools to prevent sexual assault and protect students when reporting rape.
"We're so glad that people like Governor Cuomo are joining us and raising the issue onto a national platform," says co-author Meg McInerney.
"Look where it got her," says actress Darci Siegel in the play. "It landed her in the back seat of a cab with a bunch of guys who think that she wanted it because she pretty much acts like she does...does she not?"
Siegel, 16, says the issue hits close to home.
"I see it in my school a lot and it takes a while to see it and realize that it is slut-shaming," she says.
"Knowing that I know from the book and the pla y has made it much easier to call people out and explain to them what I know so hopefully they can understand how awful using those words are," says actress Casey Odesser.
Soon, all of these girls will be going away to school and they say they thank Governor Cuomo for taking a stand on this issue before they get to college.
I feel completely prepared to go off to college and be alone, you know, and experience new things and meet new people and share what I've learned," says actress Vikki Eugenis.
The actual performance will be on February 7 and 8 at The New School and it's free for students. You can learn more at stopslut.org.