A local survey, led by 17-year-old activist Niamh Dernie, has brought to light alarming concerns regarding sexual assault, harassment, and the safety of young girls in her community. Nearly 100 girls, aged 12 to 16, from various secondary schools participated anonymously in the survey, providing a candid insight into this critical and sensitive issue.
One of the survey questions asked, “Do you feel unsafe outside alone?” Alarmingly, only two respondents replied with “never,” while the majority expressed feeling unsafe either frequently or occasionally. This highlights the troubling reality that many young girls in the community often experience a sense of unease when out alone.
Another question explored whether participants had ever been verbally harassed in a sexual manner or followed. Only seven respondents answered “never,” with most indicating they had experienced such incidents at least once, and some on multiple occasions. This showcases a broader pattern of gender-based harassment in everyday settings.
The survey also revealed that around three-quarters of respondents knew “more than two” individuals who had been victims of sexual assault. Adding to this grim picture, most participants reported having received unsolicited sexual imagery more than twice, further underscoring the prevalence of inappropriate and harmful behaviour targeted at young girls.
When asked about addressing inappropriate behaviour and sexist attitudes, the respondents unanimously agreed on taking a proactive stance, stating their willingness to call out such incidents. However, approximately a quarter of the participants said they felt “invalidated” or “closed down” when attempting to report disrespectful acts, reflecting the barriers many face in seeking justice or acknowledgment.
Additional topics covered in the survey included experiences with abusive relationships, the lack of knowledge about reporting mechanisms for sexual harassment, and the pressing need for improved educational programs in schools to address these issues.
Reflecting on the survey’s troubling outcomes, Ms Dernie remarked, “I hadn’t realised even in the area I was in that just short of 100 girls felt this unsafe and unheard.” Motivated by these findings, she is working to raise awareness and has plans to collaborate with David Johnston, the Member of Parliament for Wantage, to discuss the results and explore solutions. Ms Dernie also aims to partner with charities and the global youth-led movement Chalk Back to strengthen her campaign and advocate for making misogyny a hate crime.
Ms Dernie has previously addressed sexist behaviour during her meetings with Mr Johnston. He praised her dedication, stating, “She continues to be an impressive campaigner.” Mr Johnston acknowledged the serious nature of the survey’s findings, emphasizing, “Sexual harassment of any kind is unacceptable, and it is something for which we should have zero tolerance.”
Mr Johnston has committed to raising these concerns with the Minister for Safeguarding and providing full support for efforts to make the local community a safer place for young women.
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