MOORESTOWN (KYW Newsradio) — April brings the 20th anniversary of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
The goal of a group of Moorestown (N.J.) High School students is to bring attention to this cause, and much more.
"Getting harassed, cat-called, I do see a lot of it in Moorestown, and it happens everywhere," said Moorestown High Junior Brooke Blizzard, 16, as she described her peers' experience in their community.
"We have girls in Moorestown write down stories anonymously that they felt either violated, or that they have been raped or assaulted, or just ways they felt persecuted racially," she added.
"Young women shouldn't have to go out and buy tasers, or find ways to defend themselves because they're scared of walking down the street."
Blizzard and Sarah Maher, 17, came up with an idea last month to form a women's support group called Women4Change.
"It's for bringing awareness and education to the issues that are facing women and minorities in our community right now," Blizzard said.
The group, made up by 10 former and current MHS students, is planning its first mission. They will host a rally in town Saturday to not only address harassment, but all issues facing women and minorities.
“We do have a couple of speeches on women’s issues, but there’s also speeches on racial inequality and the rise in Asian hate crimes," said Maher.
"We're starting off with speeches by female led school clubs," Blizzard added.
"Then we have a series of speakers that are councilmen and councilwomen in our community."
Everyone is encouraged to wear the color teal in support of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
"A lot people tend to think that we live in this perfect little bubble of Moorestown, but we hope to educate people with it.”
Events begin at noon at Moorestown Library Field.