Stats & Anecdotes:
Why Girls’ LEAP says every girl is WORTH IT.
Why Girls’ LEAP says every girl is WORTH IT.
Girls’ LEAP (Lifetime Empowerment & Awareness Program) is a non-profit agency which offers free safety, self-defense and empowerment programs to Boston girls. Part of our mission is to help girls realize their right and will to be safe and that they are worth defending. We teach this by empowering girls through an integration of self-reflective and physical self-defense skills.
So why focus on girls?
Think about all the girls and women in your life- mothers, daughters, sisters, friends. Think about all the times they were there for you. Think about a time when one of them was there for you in a big way. Hold on to that memory and think about this:
- 1 in 5 girls will be the victim of sexual assault in her lifetime.
- In Massachusetts, more than a quarter of all girls report being bullied in school
- In Boston, 83% of high school-age girls report being sexually harassed in school
- 40% of girls living around Boston do not feel safe in the places they frequent
How many of the people you care about have been, or will be affected by these statistics? Are they WORTH IT to you?
Of course they are! That is why Girls’ LEAP has touched the lives of over 6,000 girls:
- Because girls deserve to grow up safe and free from violence
- Because girls should have the skills to protect and defend themselves
- Because girls need to develop their confidence and courage
Among our travels into the neighborhoods of Boston we have experienced mutual inspiration from the girls and women we work with.
Through her work with Girls' LEAP, one teacher who struggled with conflict and standing up for herself learned that:
“we are worth supporting, worth encouraging.. even when we’re not at our best. We are worth being in conflict with, because it means we’re speaking up.”
When one 16 year-old girl was asked during program why she was worth defending, she said:
"I am worth defending because I have hopes and dreams and someday I want to be someone who changes people's lives.”
Watching the Girls' LEAP videos and reading this blog reinforeced for me how important, how absolutely crucial programs such as this are. The statistics in this blog entry were startling to me-I would not have guessed that bullying or assult numbers were nearly that high. I think both the videos and blog showcase how life changing it can be to feel courageous, empowered, important. Each of the videos told a unique story which showcased pressures that most people could relate to at some point-from family, friends, and most importantly, from ourselves. They also showed that with strength, courage, hardwork, and a little help, we can overcome them. In her interview, Deborah Weaver stresses the importance of not only the physical skills that are taught, but also conflict negotiation, self-awareness, and self-advocacy. I think that these skills are equally if not more important, and I think I too have learned some of these skills through our self-defense class.
ReplyDeleteTo view the video clips referenced here, visit the "girlsleapster" youtube channel!
ReplyDeleteEvery girl should have the chance to learn the tools to enable her to assert herself - in both negative situations and in positive ones. Girls LEAP provides exactly this sort of opportunity to the girls who need it these tools the most. By teach self defense and negotiation techniques, the girls not only learn to take back control of their bodies, but also ways to be confident. Kayla's story struck me on the youtube site because she went from being a fearful person, to someone who became unafraid to take more risks in her life. This profound psychological change and empowerment is something that she will take with her for the rest of her life. The girl's LEAP program shows us that being a women does not mean we need to be passive or quiet.
ReplyDeleteWhile at first the statistics surprised me, thinking about them more they began to surprise me less. I think it is important to have programs like Girl’s LEAP to show girls that even if bullying, and harassment are so widespread that they should not be accepted as okay or a part of a high school experience. While the physical skills themselves are important, I think the most important thing is learning that they are “worth defending.” I have learned a lot of physical skills in self defense class but I have also learned to say No. Before this class that seemed like something that shouldn’t be hard, but saying it loud enough and with enough confidence to make someone believe it is hard than it seems at first. From the videos on YouTube, I know that I am not alone in thinking that this is an important but also at times challenging skill to learn.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the YouTube videos and reading this blog, I notice that there are other people out there like me. People that are not as confident as everyone else is, people who seem to lack the courage necessary to speak up, etc... But, it is great to realize that you are what you think your are not. Girls' LEAP does just that: it brings out the potential in all of its students and gives them the courage and strength to speak what is on their mind. I know how hard it is to overcome your shyness, but learning that you have the power to do so or to defend yourself takes a lot of time, it takes the strength and support of those around you, and it takes confidence, which is sometimes a hard thing to learn. That is why I am so happy that Girls' LEAP enables all of its girls not only to defend themselves physically, but also to find and use their inner strength, confidence and pride, making them happier.
ReplyDeleteI think the statistics presented are most eye-opening. I am actually from the Boston area but have lived a relatively more sheltered life. Though I've always been vaguely aware of the situations that occur in the Boston area, I never realized just how high the statistics actually were. I think Girls' LEAP has very wonderful goals and agree that girls are worth it. I like that Girls' LEAP concentrates on the emotional and the mental in addition to the physical. While the physical is helpful, the mental and emotional aspects (feeling confident and powerful) are crucial to a healthy mindset. The physical only takes people so far. In many cases, it's not enough. I also think physical strength does not always equate to a powerful person. A person who is confident and in control of her desires is at least equally powerful and sometimes even more powerful than a person who can act physically. At the same time, it's important for girls to know that they have strength regardless of their physique.
ReplyDeleteI think the statistics are very eye-opening. I am from the Boston area but have lived a relatively more sheltered life so I never realized how high the statistics actually were. I think the goals of Girls' LEAP are very admirable and also very realistic. I think physical strength is important but I'm glad that Girls' LEAP considers the mental and emotional mindset of girls as well. While physical strength is helpful, it can only lead a person so far. A person can only be healthy if she is grounded in her own mental strength, in the ability to be confident in herself and understand that she is powerful both inside and out. Therefore, concentrating on both aspects makes for a stronger program that can lead girls farther.
ReplyDeleteComing from a background where violence was the order of the day and abuse a common place, I think that girlsLEAP is the best program I have been acquainted with. By being in this self-defense class, I have learned that a two letter word that is paid little or no attention has a profound effect in a possibly dangerous situation. I have come to realize that NO is not just a no, it is a boundary setter and possibly a life saver. This self defense class simulates possible real life scenarios and teaches how to react to each situations. The lessons that are learned from this class definitely transcends beyond classroom and I am happy that I am now more knowledgeable about how to protect myself.
ReplyDeleteWhether she is 8 or 48, every woman needs the tool to realize, accept and display her confidence and strength. Through Girls LEAP, women learn about their inner strengths, defense skills to maximize their physical strength, and self-empowerment through increased confidence and positive relationships. Traci’s story, featured on Youtube’s girlLEAPsters channel, is a testament to how Girl LEAP empowers girls and women physically, psychologically and emotionally. By developing positive relationships with Girls LEAP colleagues and learning how to physically and verbally defend herself, Traci overcame the shock of being raped at four years old and now empowers young girls with defense skills and confidence. Girls LEAP changed not only Traci’s life but also young girls and women touched by Traci’s incredible, inspiring story. Truly, Girls LEAP program holds true to its mission by teaching every woman that she is worth it.
ReplyDeleteWhat I find really admirable is the assertion that all girls are worth defending. I fully agree with this statement, but the sad fact of the matter is that there are many girls who do not believe it of themselves. It is heartening to see that Girls' LEAP puts a focus on this. Inner strength may not depend on outer strength, but in discovering their outer strength, girls can learn to rally their inner strength. In watching the videos and reading the articles on this blog, I've clearly seen how Girls' LEAP has made a difference in the lives of so many girls.
ReplyDeletegirlsLEAP rock!
ReplyDeleteI feel bad saying this but I wasn't surprised at all by the statistics. Where I grew up it was not uncommon for me to hear about women and girls being sexually harrased, assaulted, and abused. People treated women with very little respect. But do you know what got me through? It was the fact that women are stronger than what men or other women think. I had great role models, women that tried to teach me that we have a voice and an incredible power and will to defend ourselves. Sometimes things seem hopeless but I am happy to see that organizations like Girls' LEAP are trying to make it better for girls.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the videos and reading the blogs I realize how this program can reach out to girls who need this program. They or their family members have been through more than I can even imagine and how prevalent sexual assault is. I am happy to be learning self defense and how lucky I have been to have the life I have had. I hope to spread the message about being able to take care of yourself and to be proud of who you are and how to not be afraid. This organization teaches girls skills that they will use for their entire lives, and I am happy to promote this organization to friends and families in need.
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