Over the last few years, the #MeToo social movement has become an international topic of conversation, yet instances of sexual assault and harassment are still occurring at seemingly high rates. To better understand how this movement affects our own community, we conducted a study through an anonymous survey. We surveyed 369 females from our high school, between the ages 13-19. Our survey results demonstrated that 18% of the women surveyed had been catcalled by a complete stranger, and 17% reported being followed by a stranger. Some of the young women who reported experiencing assault, claimed that they would not report it “because I would be afraid to speak up since the authorities wouldn't do anything,” while others wouldn't report, “because it’s an everyday thing.” In other words, young women from our community do not report these cases due to the fear of being ignored or the possibility of being blamed for the assault for wearing the wrong clothes or acting in a particular way. After collecting the data, our group came to the consensus that providing the results to law enforcement would have a significant impact by alerting officials that there is a large number of girls who feel unsafe, but are afraid to speak up. Once officials are aware of what is occurring to the young women, they are more likely to take action which will encourage the young women to come forth with their experiences.
Out of the 369 participants, 222 of them live in Pacoima, the city closest to our school. Over the last six months, there have been a total of 146 violent crimes in Pacoima; this number is the highest compared to the neighboring cities. In Mission Hills, for example, there have only been 31 violent crimes in the last six months (LATimes). The crimes range from homicide to rape, but most are classified under aggravated assault. We were able to assess that 60% of those surveyed have either experienced harassment themselves, or know of someone who has. The majority of those who experienced assault or know someone who has experienced assault pertain to the Pacoima area.
In a different study we were also able to conclude that men are directing their attention to young teenage girls as they are walking home. We put this to the test when we sent three members of the Invent Team to walk along the street of Laurel Canyon. The young girls took a path that most students take when walking home, and after just 20 minutes of walking, the girls came back reporting that they were catcalled and repeatedly honked at by several men. At one point, the girls crossed paths with a shirtless man who would not take his eyes off of them which caused them a lot of discomfort and made them return to the school. After taking into account their experience over a short 20 minute walk, we all realized why so many of the girls we surveyed (44%) felt unsafe in our neighborhood.
In order to address the high frequency of sexual assault and harassment we, the San Fernando High School Invent Girls, will utilize the engineering design process to create a device that will help young women feel safer in our communities.
Out of the 369 participants, 222 of them live in Pacoima, the city closest to our school. Over the last six months, there have been a total of 146 violent crimes in Pacoima; this number is the highest compared to the neighboring cities. In Mission Hills, for example, there have only been 31 violent crimes in the last six months (LATimes). The crimes range from homicide to rape, but most are classified under aggravated assault. We were able to assess that 60% of those surveyed have either experienced harassment themselves, or know of someone who has. The majority of those who experienced assault or know someone who has experienced assault pertain to the Pacoima area.
In a different study we were also able to conclude that men are directing their attention to young teenage girls as they are walking home. We put this to the test when we sent three members of the Invent Team to walk along the street of Laurel Canyon. The young girls took a path that most students take when walking home, and after just 20 minutes of walking, the girls came back reporting that they were catcalled and repeatedly honked at by several men. At one point, the girls crossed paths with a shirtless man who would not take his eyes off of them which caused them a lot of discomfort and made them return to the school. After taking into account their experience over a short 20 minute walk, we all realized why so many of the girls we surveyed (44%) felt unsafe in our neighborhood.
In order to address the high frequency of sexual assault and harassment we, the San Fernando High School Invent Girls, will utilize the engineering design process to create a device that will help young women feel safer in our communities.
Survey Results
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