Sexual Harassment in School

How to Deal With Sexual Harassment in School

The definition of Sexual harassment is unwelcome words or conduct of a sexual nature that have the purpose or effect of creating an embarrassing, hostile, humiliating or offensive environment for the victim. It could just be a onetime thing, but when it becomes routine, the victim's life could become a living nightmare. If you are a victim of sexual harassment, it is up to you to take the first action: Tell your harasser to stop and report future incidents to a trusted adult at school. School administrators in the school are then legally required to take action to keep your learning environment free from sexual harassment.

Steps

Understand what sexual harassment is. Sexual harassment is illegal. If the harassment is not sexual in any way, it may or may not be illegal, but it is not described or dealt with as sexual harassment. Repeated verbal abuse surrounding your weight, for example, is not sexual in nature. Any of the following behaviors, when not welcomed, fall under sexual harassment, whether they come from another student, or any kind of authority figure as well:

·         Touching, pinching, and grabbing body parts.

·         Being trapped.

·         Being sent sexual notes or pictures (regardless of how they are sent).

·         Sexual graffiti.

·         Being the target of suggestive or sexual gestures.

·         Being the target of sexual rumors or sexual propositions

·         Having your clothes taken off.

·         Someone else taking their clothes off.

·         Being forced to kiss someone or do something else sexually.

·         Being forced to have sexual intercourse with someone.

Find out if there are other victims. If you are not the only person who's being harassed, talk to the other victims and find out about their experiences. Suggest attempting to stop the harassment by taking the following steps together.

Let the harasser know that their behavior or comments make you feel uncomfortable and that you want them to stop, even if you have even the slightest suspicion you are been  sexually harassed. It is best to do this immediately when an incident occurs, or as close to the incident as possible. Saying "I don't like it when you do that and I want you to stop" is enough. This will make it clear to the instigator that the behavior is not welcome and not flattering. Preferably, say this to them while there are other people around who can act as witnesses, and don't laugh or smile or do anything else to make the harasser think you're only joking.

·         If you feel especially victimized, or worry that a confrontation like this may put you in further danger, skip this step. At the very least, try not to smile or laugh when it happens, so as not to encourage the behavior.

Keep a written record of all of the incidents that occur. Write down the date, time, and exactly what happened, as well as the names of people who saw it happen. Also, record any attempts to make it clear that the behavior is unwanted. Save any notes or picture’s you receive as evidence. You should also record the impact that the harassment is having on your life, including how it makes you feel, and how your self-esteem, academic performance, and emotional stability are been affected.

·         Not only will doing this help you report the incident and show that it was indeed sexual harassment, it may also help you vent, and shake feelings of self-doubt.

Go to an authority figure for help. The school nurse, doctor or sexual harassment officer is an excellent choice. If you do not feel comfortable talking to them, tell a trusted teacher or other faculty member. Request that they keep a written record of the day and time that you told them.

Write a letter to the harasser. Describe what they have been doing to harass you and that they bother you and you want them to stop. Keep a copy for yourself. Have your trusted authority figure deliver the letter so the harasser takes it seriously.

File a complaint with the government in your country if after taking all of the above steps, the behavior still allowed to continue. Then., file with the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights or your state's department of education. You could also file a lawsuit under federal law.

Tips

·         Do not blame yourself. You did not ask to be harassed. Likewise, you should not deny what is happening, or downplay the effects of the harassment. If you are been sexually harassed, you are not overreacting. Sexual harassment can have both immediate and cumulative psychological effects that can ruin someone's self-esteem, and their lives. It is essential that you take action to stop the harassment.

·         Sexual harassment is not always male to female, a male may sexually harass another male, and a female can sexually harass a male or another female.

·         You are not the only person in the world that has had sexual harassment. There have been thousands of cases of sexual harassment. So do not feel like you are the only person because you are not.

·         Effective responses from your school depend on the severity of the situation. Follow up by the school can include counseling for the offender, mediated conversation between offender and victim, as well as disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion.

·         Find supporters that believe you and that you can talk with about what is happening. You should not have to face this alone.

·         Even if someone is just flirting with you, if you do not want him or her to, just tell him or her to stop before it ever turns into sexual harassment.

·         Touching or threatening to touch a person in a sexual manner is a crime in most if not all states. Many states also have laws making stalking or repetitive harassment of any sort a criminal offense. Victims of harassment can report the harassment to the police and initiate criminal prosecution against a harasser in some cases.

·         If you do any of the activities that describe as sexual harassment, stop. You do not know how much pain you cause in their lives.

·         Take self-defense classes if you feel you may be in physical danger. If things get out of hand, it's useful to know how to defend yourself and get away from the situation until you can find help.

Warnings

·         If you do not take action, the sexual harassment will likely continue and probably get worse. Take action and find help.

·         There may be retaliation from the harasser, their friends, and others. In some instances, poorly trained authority figures will not deal with the situation properly. That is why it is important to know what to do, believe in yourself, and record and report the incidents as scrupulously as possible.

·         Willfully making a false report of sexual harassment is a serious offense.

Post by: Doshti