HOULTON, Maine — Around 75 students at Houlton Middle High School walked out against sexual violence Wednesday morning.
The walkout comes after a collection of images of more than 100 girls at the school circulated on social media—that some students are calling a "rape list."
Students were pushing for school administrators to do more to protect peers who have been sexually harassed.
For many who walked out, the issues of sexual harassment and assault hit close to home.
"Today I decided to walk out because I've had instances in not just this school but when I was younger, where I went through sexual assault and harassment," sophomore Edy Michno said.
Seventh grader Savanah Crawford has had a similar experience at Houlton Middle High School. "Last year I was sexually harassed in the hallway," she said.
Students shared their stories and uplifted each other.
"A lot of women are scared to speak out about it because they aren't believed or they aren't heard and we want to make it heard here," sophomore Bella White said.
After the school was made aware of the photo incident, the district and Houlton Police began investigating. Police said there is no threat and no violation of the law, but many students are still concerned.
"I was on it, and I was really scared, I will admit that I felt really uncomfortable going to school," eight grader Danalia Foster said.
Students said this incident is part of an ongoing issue of sexual harassment in and out of school.
"This has been years of it, and it's not just one event," sophomore Hannah Kowalski said.
Many students also said the school has not properly addressed these incidents.
Crawford said, “It feels like they don't care.”
"We've been asked what we've done to provoke it, and it's not just me. I know many other people that have had harassment and assault happen to them in the school and nothing has been done," Michno said.
RSU 29 Superintendent Joe Fagnant supported the walkout and said the district is working to protect and collaborate with students.
Fagnant said they've hired a student success coordinator this year to keep up with these investigations.
"We're already catching up with many of these concerns and doing a better job. So, there's always room for improvement to work with students and their families," Fagnant said.
Students are pushing for more care to be put into helping those who have been sexually harassed in school and more consequences for perpetrators.
"No one wants to not feel safe where they go every day," Kowalski said.
Houlton Middle High School officials and police are still investigating the recent photo list incident and are continuing to meet up with students who have been affected.
Fagnant said they're planning to wrap up the investigation by next week.