Sexual Harassment Lesson Purpose: Define what sexual harassment is Learn the difference between sexual harassment and flirting Learn what to do if someone is sexually harassing you
Sexual Harassment Definition: Any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature --Equal Employment Opportunity Council
School prepares you for the workforce If you sexually harass someone at your work, you could be fired. We need to learn about sexual harassment now because this behavior cannot be tolerated anywhere.
It is against the Law Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Indiana Law Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese St. Charles policy
The laws are concerned with the IMPACT OF THE BEHAVIOR. In other words, the law is concerned with how the PERSON ON THE RECEIVING END IS AFFECTED BY THE BEHAVIOR, not with what the other person means by the behavior.
To put it bluntly, even if you didnt mean it, if it feels like it to the person you do it to, it is sexual harassment.
In the eye of the beholder
Questions: So, if a girl says she is being sexually harassed and the boy says he is only joking around, what is it??? Can boys be sexually harassed by girls?? If you feel sexually harassed by a teacher, what should you do?
Verbal Harassment Examples: Calling girls names like doll, babe, or honey Whistling at someone, cat calls Making suggestive sexual comments about a persons body, clothing or looks Telling sexual jokes, stories or teasing Asking sexual questions Repeatedly asking out a person who is not interested Making kissing sounds, howling, and smacking lips Telling lies or spreading rumors about a persons sex life Written comments, notes, or letters of a sexual nature
Non-verbal Examples of Sexual Harassment Looking a person up and down Staring at someone Blocking a persons path Following the person Giving personal gifts Displaying sexually suggestive visuals Making facial expressions such as winking, throwing kisses, or licking lips Making sexual gestures with hands or through body movements
Physical Examples of Sexual Harassment Inappropriate or unwanted touching, such as groping, pinching, grabbing of body parts Tearing or pulling at a persons clothing, including snapping bras, pulling down pants, or flipping skirts Standing in someones way or standing too close in a way that makes the person feel uncomfortable Bumping into someone or brushing against the person on purpose in a way that makes the person uncomfortable. Unwanted Patting, hugging or kissing
Sexual Harassment: Is a legal problem Concerns schools Gets worse when it is ignored Should be talked about to create a healthy school environment Can be embarrassing to talk about Should never be tolerated
Sexual harassment vs. Flirting Makes the receiver feel: Bad Angry/Sad Demeaned Ugly powerless Makes the receiver feel: Good Happy Flattered Pretty/Attractive In control
Sexual Harassment vs. Flirting: Results in: Negative self esteem Is perceived as: One-sided Demeaning Invading degrading Results in: Positive self esteem Is perceived as: Reciprocal Flattering Open A compliment
Sexual Harassment vs. Flirting Unwanted Power motivated Illegal Wanted Equally motivated Legal
What to do: Confront the harasser, let them know what you dont like and tell them to stop If they dont stop or you are uncomfortable confronting: Talk to your parents Talk to a teacher, the counselor, the principal Any adult you feel comfortable with
What will happen: The person sexually harassing will be disciplined strongly School officials will follow up to make sure it does not happen again Your parents could choose to have the harasser arrested
Sexual Harassment It should never be tolerated!