Elizabeth Reed is an associate professor at San Diego State University. Reed researches sexual abuse and harassment of young women.
“We conducted a study of adolescent girls these are girls aged 15 to 19-years old in a neighborhood here in San Diego,” said Reed. “We found that 65 percent of girls reported sexual harassment in the past six months. Things like others saying sexually explicit things to them and also physical harassment, unwanted touching and groping.”
As far as the workplace goes, Reed found that 55 percent of women report sexual harassment at the workplace. And for younger girls just entering the workforce, Reed said many are reluctant to report the harassment.
“Many fear that they will not be believed or they fear the blame will be shifted on to them.”