Sexual Harassment Why should we learn about Sexual
Sexual Harassment
Why should we learn about Sexual Harassment? Come up with 3 reasons n Talk with a neighbor n
Why should we learn about Sexual Harassment? Makes students feel uncomfortable n Student’s grades drop n Students don’t want to come to school n Affects the entire school by making student’s lose their trust in teachers, other students, and school in general n Federal and State Laws make sexual harassment illegal n
What is Sexual Harassment? Think about it? n Discuss with neighbor n Share with class n
What is Sexual Harassment? n A working definition: – Deliberate or repeated behavior of a sexual nature that is unwanted, unwelcome, and not returned. » (verbal, nonverbal, visual, or physical behavior)
The official definition: – Sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical behavior of a sexual nature that fits one of these criteria: » You feel pressure to go along with the behavior because you will suffer the consequences through grades, jobs, position, opportunities to participate, etc. » The behavior is directed to you to either intentionally or unintentionally interfere with your ability to perform as a student. » The behavior creates an embarrassing, hostile or intimidating environment for you at school, in class, in the hall, in the locker room, on the bus, or at any school sponsored activity.
Statistics • • • 85% of girls have been sexually harassed 76% of boys have been sexually harassed 31% of girls experienced harassment "often" 18% of boys experienced harassment "often" Girls were five times more likely to find the incidents disturbing and three times more likely to feel the harassment had affected their grades.
n Sexual Harassment is a Level III offense at CVMS, meaning it violates state and federal law. n Options include: ISS, suspension, possible expulsion; n Possible law enforcement involvement; n Other Level III violations: Truancy, Fighting, Possession/Use/Under Influence, Distribution of Controlled Substances, Threats to Staff, Knives, Other Dangerous Weapons and/or Firearms;
Three Forms of Sexual Harassment
Physical n Examples: – Standing in someone’s way – Bumping into someone or brushing against someone on purpose – Patting, hugging, or kissing – Grabbing, touching, pinching – Touching of a sexual nature – preventing another from leaving an area – gestures
Verbal n Examples: – – – – – Threats, Insults, Comments about a person’s body Sexual jokes, suggestions, or remarks Sexual Stories / rumors Jokes Remarks teasing questions of a sexual nature pressure for dates or sexual favors sexually degrading words used toward an individual or to describe and individual
Written (or Non-Verbal) n Examples: – – – – Jokes uninvited letters display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures Staring at someone’s body Sexual pictures or sexual drawings Mimicking or pantomiming in an insulting way Gestures or looks…winking, licking lips or suggestive body movements – Notes, letters, or graffiti
Student Activity #1 n Group Questions (only two people per group): One paper group with two names on it. You do not have to write the question. Answer questions in complete sentences. n 1. Imagine that a friend confides in you that he or she has been a victim of sexual harassment. a. What would you tell your friend to do about the harassment? n 2. Suppose a boy repeatedly tells a girl, in public, that she has a great body. While at first the girl is flattered, when he keeps talking about her body publicly, she becomes increasingly uncomfortable. a. Do you think she has reason to feel uncomfortable? b. Is this an example of sexual harassment or positive attention? c. In our culture, do you think it is easy to confuse sexual harassment and positive attention? n 3. Do you think there is a relationship between self-esteem and sexual harassment? a. Do you think people with low self-esteem would be more likely to be the harasser, the victim, or both? Give facts to support your ideas.
Sexual Harassment and Flirting: Are they the same thing?
No. Flirting happens when both people agree to flirt, and both enjoy it. Harassment makes at least one person feel uncomfortable and unsafe.
Sexual Harassment or Flirting n n n Bobby asks Jennifer on a date and she accepts happily. Duane keeps bugging Claire for a date after she says no several times. Catherine and Erica tease Carlos about being so small.
Flirting or Sexual Harassment n n Ron and Jamie talk about going to the dance together. Elizabeth and David exchange notes in the hallway.
• Activity #2 Compare and Contrast Sexual harassment and Flirting Using the Double Bubble Map/Venn Diagram In same groups
What can I do if someone harasses me? n Take action on your own or with others by… 1. Tell the harasser to stop (if not the harasser may think the behavior is ok). Write down what happened. It is important to have a clear record of what happened, when it happened and if anyone else saw it. Avoid being alone with the harasser. Talk to an adult you trust. If nothing else seems to work, consider filing a complaint. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Filing a complaint in Douglas County n Any DCSD student who believes that she or he has been subjected to sexual harassment should report the incident promptly. 1. The report can be made verbally or in writing. The report can be made to a staff member who will assist the student in reporting to the principal or designee. 2.
Continued… n Findings and appropriate action will be rendered within a timely manner. n An investigation will be conducted. n There will be no retaliation against any individual for reporting an incident or cooperating with an investigation of an alleged incident. n Confidentiality will be preserved consistent with applicable laws. n Any student who violates the sexual harassment policy will be subject to disciplinary action.
Are you harassing someone? Ask yourself these questions: n n Am I making the person feel uncomfortable? Would I do the same things in front of a parent, a teacher or others I respect? Would it be ok if someone did the same thing to my brother or sister? How would my family and I feel if my actions were reported in the local news?
Activity #3 n n n Groups of two Brainstorm and come up with a sexual harassment incident. Write a script for a scenario dramatizing the incident of sexual harassment. – What can you do to prevent such an incident from happening. Be prepared to hand in a complete written script. You can present your scenario to the class if you chose. class. scenarios. All students must turn in a complete, written script.
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