Health Updates
Teens and Sexual Harassment
The first time Maria saw Peter leering at her in class, she
just looked away. When he kept doing it, she asked him to
stop. He didn't. Soon he began grabbing or touching her whenever
she passed him in the hallway.
Maria didn't like the way Peter's treatment of her made her
feel. Instead of ignoring him, she decided to take action.
First, she told her best friend. Then both girls went to speak
to the principal together. Maria also told her parents.
Peter was told he would be severely punished if his behavior
continued. He stopped. He even apologized to Maria.
Types of Sexual Harassment
Peter's behavior is an example of sexual harassment. This
may be defined as any unwanted behavior that has a sexual
tone and usually occurs over time. The target of the harassment
is made to feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, or humiliated.
Sexual harassment is a growing concern among teens in school.
It is against both state and federal laws. Sexual harassment
interferes with a teen's right to learn, study, and enjoy
school activities in a comfortable environment.
There are various types of harassment:
- Staring or leering at someone.
- Touching, grabbing, or pinching in a personal manner.
- Making sexual comments, gestures, or jokes.
- Repeatedly pressuring someone to go on a date or engage
in sexual activity.
- Spreading rumors about a person's sexual behavior.
- Asking for sexual favors in exchange for something.
Power Play
In a survey, 85 percent of girls and 76 percent of boys said
they had been sexually harassed at some point. Some said the
harassment started as early as elementary school. The targets
of harassment are not always girls, and the harassers are
not always boys. Girls can harass boys, and female-on-female
and male-on-male harassment also occurs.
Harassment is not about love or sex. It is about power. Those
who have power abuse it by turning it against someone who
is less powerful.
Harassment versus Flirting
Determining whether an act legally qualifies as sexual harassment
can be tricky. It depends on how often it happens, how the
target feels about it, and whether there is a difference in
power.
Winking at a person is considered flirting. If a dirty joke
is told only once, it is not considered sexual harassment.
However, remarks and actions that seem threatening are examples
of harassment—even if it happens once. So are physical
attacks or instances of unwanted touching.
Protecting Yourself
You can protect yourself from being harassed by doing the
following:
- Be aware of your environment. Is the situation
risky? Are friends of yours nearby if you need help?
- Assert yourself. If someone pressures you to have
sex, look the person in the eye and say no firmly. Push
the person away if you need to. Call a parent or trusted
adult to take you home, or leave if you drove in your own
car. Remember, at any point in a sexual encounter, you have
the right to stop.
- Know your boundaries. Do you feel right about what
you are doing or what is being done to you? You have the
right to decide whether it's okay for anyone to touch you.
How close can a friend, relative, or stranger get to you
before you feel uncomfortable?
- Tell someone. Report the harassment to your parents,
teacher, or the police.
Just the Facts
- Describe three types of sexual harassment.
- Tell what role power plays in sexual harassment.
- What are two ways to protect yourself from being harassed?
Describe them.
Beyond the Facts
- Which of the following scenarios is flirting? Which is
sexual harassment?
- Jamal tells Sandra to stop calling him at home, but
she continues to call.
- Carl sends flowers to a girl he doesn't know well.
- Some people feel that girls who act in certain ways are
asking to be harassed. Do you agree or disagree? Explain
your reasons.
Applying the Facts
Talk with your friends and classmates. Find out if any of
them has been the target of sexual harassment, or if any of
them has harassed another student. Discuss how it feels to
be sexually harassed, and the differences between harassment
and flirting.
