'Rape list' part of misogyny girls face at school

Teenage girls in the North East of England have revealed the extreme misogyny they face daily, both in school and online, according to a BBC report. The girls, from Tyneside, shared their experiences in a film they made, detailing how they feel worthless and frightened as a result of the language they endure. One girl recounted a "rape list" made by boys in her school, where they ranked girls they wanted to rape the most and least.

The government has pledged to take bold and decisive action to halve violence against women and girls, with changes to be introduced in September to help teachers challenge misogyny. However, Catherine Marchant, CEO of Impact Family Services in South Tyneside, warned that young people could become unaware of abuse if misogynistic attitudes are normalized in schools and on social media.

She expressed concern that young women as young as 15, 16, and 17 are recognizing they have been abused in their first relationships, and that many are unaware that boys shouldn't behave in such a way. The girls involved in the film said they changed their behavior regularly to feel safer, often avoiding large groups of young men and sticking together when they go out at night.

The report highlights the need for education and intervention to challenge harmful attitudes and behaviors, including the new Relationships, Sex, and Health Education curriculum set to be rolled out in schools from September.