SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN EDUCATION AND THE EFFECTS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT ON VICTIMS.

Hi everyone.. We hope you guys clear about the types of sexual harassment. Now, let's move to our next post about sexual harassment in education and the effects of sexual harassment on victims.

Sexual harassment in education

Sexual harassment is common at every stage of education. Verbal and physical harassment begins in elementary school, and 4 out of 5 children experience some form of sexual harassment or bullying. Sexual harassment is also common in higher education. In the Report Card on Gender Equity, the National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education (NCWGE) reported that 30 percent of undergraduate students, and 40 percent of graduate students, have been sexually harassed. Sexual harassment by teachers and professors does occur and this can have serious, sometimes devastating, consequences for the recipient. Indeed, this type of sexual harassment can have the most serious consequences of all because Education is one of the few arenas where victims (students) have absolutely no power, and no advocates. Approximately 15% of students will be sexually abused by a member of the school staff during their school career. In a survey of high school graduates, 17.7% of males and 82.2% of females reported sexual harassment by faculty or staff during their school careers. Approximately 14% of those surveyed said they had engaged in sexual intercourse with a teacher. In a survey conducted by the AAUW in 2000, it was reported that roughly 290, 000 students had been targeted for physical sexual abuse by school employees between 1991 and 2000.

The causes of sexual harassment and exploitation by teachers and professors can be complex. Relationships between students and teachers are often quite intimate and intense, particularly in higher education where so many students work closely with their professors. Students share common passions and interests with their teachers, and are dependant on their teachers' approval for academic success, opportunities, and career success. They will talk to their teachers about personal issues, such as problems at home, or with boyfriends/girlfriends. Teachers often relish the admiration they receive from their students, and they can grow accustomed to the power they have in the relationship. Such closeness can blur the professional boundaries and lead people--both school employee and student alike--to step over the line.

Many believe it is the power imbalance between students and teachers that is the primary cause for harassment by teachers. Teachers have as much power as parents because their authority can have such pronounced impact not only on a student's current quality of life, but on their entire future, as well, even into adulthood. Stop Educator Sexual Abuse and Misconduct (S.E.S.A.M.E.) promotes a strong statement regarding sexual contact between students and teachers: "SESAME believes the power imbalance between a teacher and student (of any age) creates a climate that can facilitate sexual exploitation behavior by the teacher, behavior that is psychologically equivalent to incest."

A survey conducted by the AAUW (2006) on sexual harassment at colleges and universities, the AAUW reported :

· 62% and of female college students and 61% of male college students report having been sexually harassed at their university.

· 66% of college students know someone who was harassed.

· 80% of reported sexual harassment is peer-to-peer

· 51% of male college students admit to sexually harassing someone in college, with 22% admitting to harassing someone often or occasionally.

· 31% of female college students admit to harassing someone in college.

(Source : http://www.sexualharassmentsupport.org/SHEd.html)

The Effects of Sexual Harassment on the Victim

The effects of sexual harassment vary from person to person, and are contingent on the severity, and duration, of the harassment. However, sexual harassment is a type of sexual assault, and victims of severe or chronic sexual harassment can suffer the same psychological effects as rape victims.

Some of the effects a sexual harassment victim can experience:

· Decreased work or school performance as the victim must focus on dealing with the harassment and the surrounding dynamics and/or effects; psychological effects of harassment can also decrease work and school performance

· Increased absenteeism to avoid harassment, or because of illness from the stress

· Having to drop courses, or change academic plans; academic transcripts may be weakened because of decreased school performance

· Retaliation from the harasser, or colleagues/friends of the harasser, should the victim complain or file a grievance (retaliation can involve revenge along with more sexual harassment, and often involves stalking the complainant)

· Having one's personal life offered up for public scrutiny --the victim becomes the "accused," and their dress, lifestyle, and private life will often come under attack. (Note: this rarely occurs for the perpetrator.)

· Being objectified and humiliated by scrutiny and gossip

Some of the health effects, psychological and physiological, that can occur in someone who has been sexually harassed :

· Depression

· Anxiety and/or panic attacks

· Sleeplessness and/or nightmares

· Shame and guilt; self-blame

· Difficulty concentrating

· Headaches

In educational environments where sexual harassment is occurring, the impact IS : increased absenteeism by students to avoid harassment, increased student turnover as students leave to escape harassment; conflict amongst students when harassment is present; decreased productivity and performance, and/or decreased participation in school activities, as students must focus on, and strategize about, ways to deal with the harassment, or because of the psychological effects of harassment. The same loss of trust in the ethical standards of a company can also occur at school, leading students, staff, parents, and the general public can lose respect for, and trust in, the institution if nothing is done to improve the situation.

(Source :http://www.sexualharassmentsupport.org/effects.html)

So guys, give your opinion about sexual harassment in education and the effect of sexual harassment on the victims... Let’s share with us. Sharing is caring..;)

TYPES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Hi everyone and hi Ms.Wong Fook Fei. We hope you guys clear about the definition of sexual harassment. So now, we like to discuss about the types of sexual harassment.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Luke_Matthews

Actually there are two types of legally recognized way of committing sexual harassment: (1) Quid pro quo sexual harassment; and (2) Hostile environment harassment.

I. Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment

Quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs when an employee is offered to be retained in his/her job or be promoted in exchange for sexual favors. In case of a student, the offer is to help receive a good grade or a favorable recommendation in exchange for sexual favors. The person who commits quid pro quo sexual harassment is a person with power to influence the victim’s employment or educational situation like a supervisor, manager or a teacher in case of a student. An example would be if a manager suggests that an employee goes out with him on a date or asks for a neck or back rub every so often in exchange for retaining her post or be promoted.

In this type of sexual harassment, it is not important if the victim gave in or agrees to the offer. It is enough that the harasser floats or makes the offer and the victim is not barred from filing a claim if he or she later on changes his or her mind.


II. Hostile Environment Sexual Harassment

Hostile work environment sexual harassment, on the other hand, occurs when a co-worker, manager or supervisor in the work place makes unwelcome sexual advances which interferes with work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, or learning environment in the case of students. The sexual harassing conduct could be verbal, non-verbal, visual or physical. Example of a verbal harassing conduct is when one makes a sexual comment about a person’s clothing, anatomy or looks. In cases of non-verbal sexually harassing conduct an example would be leering, staring or glaring at someone. Visual sexually harassing conduct on the other hand could be displaying sexually suggestive calendars, photographs, posters or cartoons in the workplace. Physically harassing conduct is when someone gives a massage around the neck or shoulders and the victim did not ask for it and regards it as offensive.

In this type of sexual harassment, even the employer is liable if he has knowledge or should have knowledge of the sexual harassment perpetrated on one of the employees and the employer either does nothing about it or even faulted the victim for the happening of the sexually harassing conduct.

In both cases, it would be to the best interest of the victim to secure the services of a lawyer immediately to protect the victim’s legal rights.

Ok guys, here is a funny video about sexual harassment in a workplace.Enjoy and respond okay!!!!!!! :P

DEFINITION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT



Do you know what is Sexual Harassment?

http://www.archlou.org/article82491.htm

Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment occurs whenever a hostile environment is created through humor, vulgar comments, sexually suggestive cartoons, e-mail messages, or posters, as well as actual physical abuse.

From the book titled Sexual Harassment-"This Doesn't Feel Right!" by Kate Havelin, sexual harassment is any unwanted sexual attention, actions, or words.

The key word is UNWANTED .That means the words or actions are not welcome.

It includes everything from rude comments from a stranger to being forced to have sex with someone. Some incidents of sexual harassment are simply annoying, serious and deeply hurt victims and others.

This is some example of sexual harassment:-

*unnecessary and unwelcome physical contact such as touching, patting, pinching, or kissing.

*sexual assault

*jokes, comments, indirect suggestions, or taunting about a person for a date after he or she has repeatedly said no.

*pressuring a person to have sex.

*asking a person about his or her sexual fantasies, preferences, or sex life.

*sexual looks or gestures such as licking the lips or wiggling the tongue.

*sexual pictures or words displayed on a pulic surface

*stalking or continually following a person.

So, maybe you guys out there have any opinion about this issue...Please leave your comment and thank you...:))

ABOUT US

SALAM and hai to all...this is 1st post for our blog for English for Science Social(SKPD 1033) that conducted by Ms.Wong Fook Fei. So, let us introduce ourself.

This blog owned by 4 girls;

Nurul Amira binti Abdul Basir
Wan Azieana binti Wan Azmadi
Wan Nor Baini binti Wan Endut
Irma Suryani binti Rosni

In this blog,we will discuss about sexual harrassment.so,we would like 2 invite everyone which is interested 2 discuss about our topic "sexual harrassment".besides that,if you have any suggestions or opinion...please share with us...thanks to all of you who's willing 2 visit this blog...have a nice day!!