WASHINGTON — A Northern Virginia family is working to inform young men about how to treat women at a young age.
On Wednesday, several Arlington County groups and Arlington's "Project PEACE," held an event named "#MeToo: Being Men - Raising Men" at the Arlington County Central Library.
Lisa Tingle, the senior assistant commonwealth's attorney for Fairfax County and Falls Church, said it is important to teach men about sexual harassment at an early age.
"One of the statistics that you'll hear tonight is that half of the girls in Arlington Public schools in 8th, 10th and 12th grade reported being sexually harassed," she said.
A panel at the event discussed how to tackle the subject with their families. Speakers included a police officer, student and even Arlington County Board Chair Christian Dorsey.
"There's this certain toxic masculinity that we're taught or brought up with that's never really addressed and is ignored," said Matthew Hopper, a senior at Washington-Lee High School.
Hopper co-founded the "Men of Respect" club at his school to raise awareness among students about how to have healthy attitudes toward dating and relationships.
He said he is optimistic he and other students like him can make an impact.
"I think so, within my community," he said.