'Enough is enough' and 'we're the generation which will not accept misogyny in the workplace'
Students at Torquay Girls' Grammar School have created a 'Torbay Charter' after listening to the experiences of women in the workplace
Teenage girls in Torbay are taking a stand to stop women being harassed in the workplace, after some found they weren't being protected even in their first part-time jobs
The first-of-its-kind 10-point pledge has been created by the students at Torquay Girls' Grammar School, with firms now urged to sign up.
Pupil Bonnie, 17, one of the co-founders, said they created the charter after speaking with a wide range of pupils and peers about their experiences.
She said: "It's a mixture of things really but it's about different girls' experience in the workplace and they really vary - things like retail and the way they are spoken to by both customers and staff, which we thought was really concerning."
Fellow pupil Brinah, 17, said: "Especially being in an all-girls environment it's not just one story in particular but just how prevalent the stories were.
"It just felt like such a widespread issue, especially in the hospitality industry and especially when the sale of alcohol is involved as that often seems to be a triggering factor.
"Women should not be in a position where they feel they should have to walk out of a role and that's the only option that they have for dealing with misogyny."
Eleanor, 17, said what they found from speaking to peers was surprising, adding: "I think it was just the sheer volume really.
"There was quite a few stories where people just felt the tone and attitude of customers really wasn't appropriate, for example, people being told certain things and being looked down upon especially as a young woman in the workplace.
"They were feeling ashamed and embarrassed in some cases and it was really moving."
The Torbay Charter is being backed by local woman Jo, who's spoken in Parliament about her experiences of being sexually abused in the workplace. She said: "I was really severely let down by my employer and with that I was determined to fight for change.
"At the moment businesses don't have to report how many sexual harassment cases they get, there's no register it just keeps on happening and happening and happening and nothing is changing."
South Devon MP Caroline Voaden used to run support charity Devon Rape Crisis and says her daughters have previously left jobs because of the way they witnessed sexual harassment. She said: "They're surprised by what they are seeing and they are not putting up with it.
"This is the generation that's going to make the change.
"I think we put up with too much and I think for us it was normal and they're saying it's not normal and it's not acceptable and both of my daughters have called people out in the workplace for sexual harassment.
"I don't think every young woman feels empowered to do that and so I think this is why the charter is so important."
Torbay MP Steve Darling encouraged the girls to take action, saying: "It's about championing these core values of common decency and getting it out there and having conversations around it - because the more we have conversations the more we're likely to stamp it out."
A number of firms have already agreed to back the Torbay Charter, including the new owner of Paignton and Newquay zoos and TLH leisure resorts in Torbay, Whistl. Golden Palms and McDonalds.