Sexual Harassment
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Getting Help
Because "sexual harassment" is a term that can describe many different behaviors, the kind of help available to you may differ, depending on exactly what the person harassing you has done. In many cases, the harassment will probably not constitute a crime, but rather a violation of school rules (especially if there is no touching involved and no threats have been made).
This means that it will be handled through school administration rather than the criminal justice system (police, court, etc.) In such a case, you can begin by following the steps outlined below.
- Tell the person harassing you that their behavior makes you uncomfortable and you want them to stop. You can do this face-to-face or in writing. If you write them a letter, save a copy of it for yourself. In some cases, this will be enough to stop the behavior. (If you don't feel comfortable doing this by yourself, you can ask a friend or an adult for help. Or just skip this step and begin with the next one.)
- If the person doesn't stop when you ask them to, get a copy of your school's sexual harassment policy. By law, the school has to have one. The policy will tell you who to report to and how to do it. It can also help you understand what behaviors are considered harassment.
- Report the harassment to the appropriate person in your school, and/or tell a parent.
- If the harassment doesn't stop, keep a journal documenting each incident. Write down what happened, when and where it happened, whether there were any witnesses (and their names if you know them), how it made you feel, and how you responded. Then take this documentation to school administrators and ask them to take action to stop the harassment.
- Be persistent. If the first person you tell doesn't take you seriously, keep telling someone in authority until something is done about it. The school's policy should indicate the "chain of command" your complaint should go through. (For example, if the person the school has assigned to handle sexual harassment complaints doesn't take action, you may need to go to the principal, and if the principal also does not respond, you might next go to the superintendent. See your school's policy for details.)
Certain behaviors that are sometimes part of a pattern of sexual harassment are, in fact, crimes. These can include threats, assault (such as a push, shove, punch, or kick), stalking (when a person's pattern of behavior makes you fear for your safety), sexual assault (when someone forces you into a sexual act), and property crime (when someone takes, vandalizes, or destroys a possession of yours).
Helping someone else
If you see harassment happening in your school, you can help put a stop to it.
- Refuse to join in.
- If you feel safe doing so, step in and interrupt the harassment.
- Tell an adult you trust. Don't be a bystander.
- Talk to the person being harassed and try to get them to talk to an adult. Offer to go with them.
ALSO see our page on How to Help a Friend
