It seems like in the past months, every day a new woman is coming forward accusing a big name, entertainment or otherwise, of sexual harassment or assault.

Some of the notable women include Angelina Jolie, Cara Delevingne and Gwyenth Paltrow. I’ve heard a lot about these allegations and a lot of opinions floating around our small and conservative corner of the world. The only thing I have to say in regards to these women is good for them.

Good for them for finally feeling safe to share their experiences and maybe, just maybe, get justice for the disgusting wrong that has been done to them.

Some of them have gotten justice. Many big names in entertainment have been fired like Matt Lauer from the Today show and Charlie Rose from CBS and PBS. Finally the world is taking sexual harassment accusations seriously.

Our world has changed since these harassments occurred. Women feel stronger and more powerful and they find saying “no” is a whole lot easier. The phrase “no means no” is often abused and made fun of, but it is a serious issue, especially now that all these harassment allegations have arose.

Women may feel stronger, but a lot of times, the man, or the harasser, use ways to break down their strength and guard, like using substances to alter their consciousness and take advantage of these women. Just because she’s unconscious does not mean she is “asking for it”. Just like no matter what she is wearing, she was not “asking for it”. That is not consent. The only word that can be considered consent is yes.

You may not think that any of this affects you or Powell in general, but it does. Sexual harassment happens all the time and everywhere. There are some things that are considered sexual harassment that may not be registered as such here. Our school is not immune to the woes of sexual harassment as several girls can testify.

Believe it or not, catcalling is a form of sexual harassment. I know for a fact that catcalling happens in this school, and I am not here for it. School is meant to be a safe and secure learning environment. There is no room for your grotesque “compliments”.

These unwanted comments are not taken as compliments, and honestly, it makes girls feel uncomfortable and unsafe in our own school.

Sending unsolicited inappropriate pictures is another issue around PHS.. No one asked for it and even if they “looked like they did” they probably didn’t want it.

Asking for these pictures is a form of sexual harassment. Especially if they say no and the asker continues to ask. No means no and consent needs to be two-sided.

Something needs to be done to inform and prevent other instances like the allegations swirling around the nation’s media. And here at PHS, it’s going to take more than a couple posters to lead to a positive change.

PHS needs a better approach to sexual harassment and prevention. The mandatory health class is a good place to start. For those of us who have already had the health class, an assembly or a primetime lesson could still make a difference.

Perhaps a lesson in consent will start some people on the right path to a healthy and safe life.