How to Stop Sexual Harassment in Schools

In the United States, nearly 80 percent of all teens have been sexually harassed by the time they graduate from high school. Unfortunately, most of these incidents are not reported due to peer pressure and fear. By educating students about the harmful effects of sexual harassment in schools, these incidents may be significantly reduced.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Start a program that educates students about sexual harassment and the psychological and emotional effects it may have on victims. The program should be age appropriate, however, and approved by the parents of the students. Many educational experts believe that separating boys and girls for this type of training is more effective.
2. Discuss the implications of sexual harassment in different types of school courses other than those that deal specifically with human sexuality. Sexual harassment can be implemented in courses such as history, social sciences and health.
3. Train all teachers on how to correctly identify and stop incidents of sexual harassment in schools through a comprehensive program. Require all new teachers to participate in the program when initially hired and schedule a mandatory review of the school's sexual harassment policy at least once a year for the entire faculty.
4. Offer a clear and consistent policy to stop sexual harassment in schools. Let students know the specific consequences of engaging in sexual harassment, including suspension or expulsion. Make it clear that these consequences will be administered objectively, with no exceptions.
5. Involve the family of the student when incidents of sexual harassment occur in schools. By including the parents in any disciplinary actions, there is a greater chance of permanently changing the attitudes toward sexuality that caused the incident and to gain insight that will help stop the behavior.
6. Take all claims of sexual harassment in schools seriously, and avoid offering any subjective opinions or attempts to compromise the initial claim. When handling a sexual harassment claim from a student, only the facts of the case should be documented, with no judgments based upon past behavior or academic performance.
7. Stop sexual harassment in schools by addressing any retaliatory attitudes among the children, and placing more severe punishment on those children who threaten their victims if the incident is reported. In such cases, a law enforcement official should be involved in order to reduce the fear that can be generated in sexual harassment incidents.

Tips & Warnings

• Studies show that students who are subjected to sexual harassment in school are more likely to be truant and their academic success may be severely compromised as well.