@ Opinion’s Matter: Although I agree that this conversation should include male and female sexual harassment, it is important to know that women in Bermuda continue to be marginalized because of their gender. Statistics show that men still hold large amounts of power in our society.

We must have safe spaces for girls can be empowered and speak up when harassed. There must be definitive actions in place to hold harassers and those that turn a blind eye accountable. Men in power must also demonstrate with actions that sexual harassment isn’t tolerated at any age. We must have leaders that demonstrate this.

My daughter experienced sexual harassment and shaming in middle school at one of the Christian schools. Although the situation was witnessed by her peers and the incident was relayed to the Board in writing, she has yet to receive a direct apology for the experience. The school has yet to implement effective programming to address sexual harassment or bullying, and their one paragraph policy to deal with incidents is print for face value. The principal, board chair, and superintendent were male.