Sexual Harassment - Victim
This exploration contains 606 specific implications. It was generated by almost 200 college students. It is particularly interesting because the students also explored the implications of being "accused of sexual harassment." Contact us for additional information.
Details of the Center
Sexual harassment is harassment or unwelcome attention of a sexual nature. It includes a range of behavior from mild transgressions and annoyances to serious abuses which can even involve forced sexual activity. (Dziech et al 1990, Boland 2002)
Sexual harassment is considered a form of illegal discrimination, and is a form of abuse (sexual and psychological) and bullying. The EEOC defines sexual harassment as: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: 1. Submission to such conduct was made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment, 2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual was used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual, or 3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.
For many businesses, preventing sexual harassment, and defending its managerial employees from sexual harassment charges, have become key goals of legal decision-making. In contrast, many scholars complain that sexual harassment in education remains a "forgotten secret," with educators and administrators refusing to admit the problem exists in their schools, or accept their legal and ethical responsibilities to deal with it. (Dziech, 1990)
Sexual Harassment in Education
A 2002 study of students in the 8th through the 11th grade by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) revealed that 78% of girls have been sexually harassed, and 83% of boys have been sexually harassed. [5] In their 2006 study on sexual harassment at colleges and universities, the AAUW reported that 62% of female college students and 61% of male college students report having been sexually harassed at their university, with 80% of the reported harassment being peer-to-peer. Fifty-one percent of male college students admit to sexually harassing someone in college, with 22% admitting to harassing someone often or occasionally. Thirty-one percent of female college students admitted to harassing someone in college. [6] (AAUW 2002, 2006) In a 2000 national survey conducted for the AAUW, it was reported that roughly 290,000 students experienced some sort of physical sexual abuse or harassment by a public school employee, such as a teacher or coach, between 1991 and 2000.
In a major 2004 study commissioned by the U.S. Department of Education, nearly 10 percent of U.S. public school students were shown to have been targeted with unwanted sexual attention by school employees. [7] In their 2002 study, the AAUW reported that 38% percent of the students were sexually harassed by teachers or school employees. [8]However, it is important to acknowledge that statistics do not give a complete picture of the pervasiveness of the problem as most sexual harassment situations go unreported. (Boland 2002, Dzeich 1990)
University Policies
Many universities and organizations have "zero tolerance" policies on sexual harassment. A typical "zero-tolerance" policy will state that the organization "will address and investigate all complaints in a timely, comprehensive and equitable fashion." The policies will also typically state that "Violators of this policy will be subject to appropriate corrective and disciplinary action, up to and including separation or termination from the University."
Sexual harassment is considered a form of illegal discrimination, and is a form of abuse (sexual and psychological) and bullying. The EEOC defines sexual harassment as: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: 1. Submission to such conduct was made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment, 2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual was used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual, or 3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.
For many businesses, preventing sexual harassment, and defending its managerial employees from sexual harassment charges, have become key goals of legal decision-making. In contrast, many scholars complain that sexual harassment in education remains a "forgotten secret," with educators and administrators refusing to admit the problem exists in their schools, or accept their legal and ethical responsibilities to deal with it. (Dziech, 1990)
Sexual Harassment in Education
A 2002 study of students in the 8th through the 11th grade by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) revealed that 78% of girls have been sexually harassed, and 83% of boys have been sexually harassed. [5] In their 2006 study on sexual harassment at colleges and universities, the AAUW reported that 62% of female college students and 61% of male college students report having been sexually harassed at their university, with 80% of the reported harassment being peer-to-peer. Fifty-one percent of male college students admit to sexually harassing someone in college, with 22% admitting to harassing someone often or occasionally. Thirty-one percent of female college students admitted to harassing someone in college. [6] (AAUW 2002, 2006) In a 2000 national survey conducted for the AAUW, it was reported that roughly 290,000 students experienced some sort of physical sexual abuse or harassment by a public school employee, such as a teacher or coach, between 1991 and 2000.
In a major 2004 study commissioned by the U.S. Department of Education, nearly 10 percent of U.S. public school students were shown to have been targeted with unwanted sexual attention by school employees. [7] In their 2002 study, the AAUW reported that 38% percent of the students were sexually harassed by teachers or school employees. [8]However, it is important to acknowledge that statistics do not give a complete picture of the pervasiveness of the problem as most sexual harassment situations go unreported. (Boland 2002, Dzeich 1990)
University Policies
Many universities and organizations have "zero tolerance" policies on sexual harassment. A typical "zero-tolerance" policy will state that the organization "will address and investigate all complaints in a timely, comprehensive and equitable fashion." The policies will also typically state that "Violators of this policy will be subject to appropriate corrective and disciplinary action, up to and including separation or termination from the University."