Sexual Harassment

We all want our school to be a fair and safe place where people treat each other with respect. But we don't have fairness, safety and respect when there's sexual harassment - when people are treated in ways that offend them.

Sexual harassment is legally defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or other verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature. It consists of behavior or words that :

• Are directed at a person, usually because of his or her sex, sexual orientation, or perceived sexual orientation.
• Are uninvited, unwanted, and unwelcome.
• Cause a person to feel offended and uncomfortable.
• Create an environment that makes learning difficult.
• May be very offensive on a one-time basis or when said or done repeatedly.

There are three different forms that sexual harassment can take - verbal, physical and nonverbal.

Verbal sexual harassment involves offensive words or comments, which may be spoken privately to a person or in front of others. Some examples of this include:

• Telling dirty jokes.
• Spreading sexual rumors about someone.
• Commenting about someone's body parts or rating their body.
• Making sexual suggestions or threats.
• Using someone's sexual orientation (bisexuality or homosexuality) as an insult.

Physical sexual harassment includes any unwanted sexually oriented physical act. Some examples of this may include:

• Pulling or tearing at a person's clothes.
• Preventing a person from moving freely by blocking his or her movements.
• Intentionally bumping or rubbing up against a person.
• Holding or kissing someone against his or her will.
• Grabbing or touching someone, in particular his or her sexual parts (genitalia)

Nonverbal sexual harassment involves actions that are not spoken or directly physical. This includes things like:

• Making obscene gestures or sounds.
• Pointing or staring at someone's body or body parts.
• Writing someone's name along with sexual remarks, suggestions, or drawings in public places.
• Putting obscene sexual material in someone's locker or on someone's computer.
• Openly displaying obscene sexual material for others to see.

Victims of sexual harassment in schools seldom report the incident(s), because they have come to believe that most of the harassment is acceptable behavior among their peers, or they feel too ashamed or embarrassed.

Common Excuses

• "I was just joking."
• "I thought he/she liked the attention."
• "I was just flirting."
• "He/she didn't tell me to stop or didn't really mean it when they did."
• "I was just having fun with my friends, I didn't mean anything by it."

It's not flirting, fun or desired if the other person walks away feeling uncomfortable,upset, hurt, or angry. Think about how you would feel if these same words or acts were directed at someone you love. Also, think about how you would feel if someone you respect and care for witnessed your behavior. These are ways that you can tell if your behavior constitutes sexual harassment.

Most of the sexual harassment that takes place in a school occurs between students or student-to-student. But sexual harassment can also occur from student-to-staff or staff-to-student. No matter what form it takes, it is inappropriate and unacceptable. Everyone has an absolute right to put a stop to it so that they can feel safe and comfortable. This right extends to any environment, be it school, work or home.

Here at Lahser, there are several places you can go to get help if you believe that you or someone you care about is being sexually harassed. You can go to any trusted adult that you feel comfortable talking with. If they can't directly intervene, they will help you decide if you should take further steps, such as talking to someone who can intervene, like a counselor or administrator. Also, here at Lahser, we have two "Sexual Harassment Officers," Karen Mayer, Foreign Language teacher, and Randy Woodberg, School Social Worker, who handle formal complaints, and help to educate students and staff about sexual harassment issues and concerns. Students can go directly to a counselor, administrator or sexual harassment officer, if they believe they are being harassed or if they simply have questions about what constitutes sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment falls under sections 2b. Hazardous Conduct and 5a. Indecency of the Uniform Code of Student Conduct. Depending on the severity of the problem, a student found to be in violation of the code of conduct for this reason may receive anything from a verbal warning to exclusion from certain activities, privileges, or classes, to suspension. If the violation is serious enough, criminal charges may be filed. In most cases, counseling would be provided for the offender to assist the person in understanding the problem and in helping to make him or her aware of why he or she may be choosing to engage in this type of behavior. The victim would also be offered counseling to assist him or her with the ordeal if desired.

Harassment

Students should be aware that harassment of any type is inappropriate and unacceptable. No student should be made to feel uncomfortable coming to school due to any type of harassment, sexual or otherwise. Students being made to feel uncomfortable for any reason may also seek out the assistance of any staff person. Although students are often afraid to report this type of behavior, for fear that "it may make things worse," we have had great success here at Lahser working with students in these types of situations and coming up with a resolution that is satisfactory to everyone involved. We will try to problem solve first in most cases, but if the problems persist, then disciplinary action at school may be necessary. In extreme cases, police involvement may also be required.