Sexual Harassment in Schools

“Look at that a…” the boys exclaimed as she walked pass them in the hallways. This was not the first time a boy in her high school had made sexual comments to her. The comments were all too familiar, as well as, the bumping and hands brushing against her breasts as she walked past. It was a scene that was all too common in her school. However, she did not know what to do. How many other students in her situation ask the same question, but are unanswered simply because they do not know? This example is so common in our schools today. According to Susan Strauss, “50 % of girls have been sexually harassed at school and 30% have been harassed at work.” Sexual harassment is a problem that needs to be solved in our schools as well as, our workplaces. Unfortunately, many of these victims do not know what to do to end their hurts, pains, discomfort, and gain trust once again, but most of all heal their scars. I will explain to you what sexual harassment is, what types of sexual harassment there are, what principals (supervisors) and schools (CEO) are supposed to do, examples, and everything you need to be freed from your bondage if you are being sexually harassed.

Sexual harassment is a problem that has been around for years. However, many people do not know what the definition of sexual harassment is. Sexual harassment is “Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and or verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature (Strauss p. 5).” Now you may say unwelcome sexual advances are a broad category. Yes, it is, there are many examples of sexual harassment. Here are some examples:

“Touching- the arm, the breasts, buttock, massaging the neck or shoulders; verbal comments about a person’s body, what type of sex a person would be “good at”, the person’s clothing and looks; name calling- from “honey” to “bi…or worse”; Spreading sexual rumors about a person, through such devices as graffiti or “slam books”; suggestive gestures such as touching oneself in front of others; making suggestive gestures or sounds, such as kissing or smacking, licking the lips, catcalls, winking, leers, or stares; Pressure for sexual activity, such as cornering, blocking, standing too close, following, conversations that are too personal, repeatedly asking someone out when he or she isn’t interested; stunts, such as “spiking”-forcibly pulling down a person’s pants- and “wedgies”- pulling on the waistband of a person’s underwear to wedge it in their buttocks; sexual assault-from groping to rape (Strauss pg 5).”