Sexual harassment can be defined as unwanted verbal or physical behavior of a sexual nature that is repeated after there has been a clear statement that it is not welcome. Sexual harassment in schools most frequently occurs student to student, and sometimes occurs teacher to student or coach to student. There are also reports of students harassing teachers. Both boys and girls are victims of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment limits, denies and interferes with the rights of students to study, work and enjoy school in a setting that is free of gender discrimination. Sexual harassment is always wrong. It is also illegal.

Sexual harassment often goes unreported. Both male and female students tend to ignore sexual harassment when it happens to them. They worry that people will think they are making a big deal out of nothing, or that others will blame them for provoking the harassment. They may feel pressure to put up with it and not cause trouble. They are also afraid of being ridiculed or losing popularity. They may be worried that their harasser's friends will retaliate against them, and may consider this to be even worse then putting up with the harassment.

Examples of Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment takes many forms. It includes unwelcome physical and verbal behavior of a sexual nature. Some examples are:

• Touching, grabbing, fondling, etc.
• Verbal comments (about body parts, sexual preferences, clothing, looks, etc.)
• Sexual name-calling
• Spreading sexual rumors
• Leers and stares
• Sexual or "dirty" jokes
• Cartoons, pictures, and pornography
• Leaving sexual messages on email, passing notes of a sexual nature, etc.
• Gestures with hands and body
• Pressure for unwanted sexual activity
• Cornering, blocking, standing too close, following
• Unwanted massaging
• Touching oneself sexually in front of others
• Making kissing sounds or smacking sounds; licking the lips suggestively
• Howling, catcalls, whistles
• Repeatedly asking someone out when he or she isn't interested
• "De-pantsing" (pulling someone's pants down, skirt/dress up, etc.)

There are many other examples of sexual harassment.

Myth: Sexual Harassment and flirting are the same.
Fact: Sexual Harassment is much different than flirting.

People often minimize the seriousness of sexual harassment by saying "it's harmless," "just flirting," or "normal behavior for teenagers." Wrong! Sexual harassment and flirting are not the same. Here are some of the differences:

Find out what you can do about sexual harassment

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