1. Sexual HARASSMENT-7TH Grade HPMS
Ms. Harper, 7th Grade Counselor

2. What is Sexual Harassment?
Unwanted or unwelcome attention of a sexual nature
Demeaning, embarrassing
Illegal
Both males and females can be victims
Unwanted
Unwelcome
Sexual nature
Not just school policy: federal and state law, it’s ILLEGAL
which interferes with a student’s right to learn, study, work, achieve, and participate in school activities in a comfortable and supportive atmosphere.
Girls harass boys. Boys harass girls.
80% of females, 60% of males experience sexual harassment while in school [University of Florida].

3. Types of Sexual Harassment
Verbal Harassment
Visual Harassment
Physical Harassment
Types of Sexual Harassment
*Verbal
*Visual
*Physical

4. What is Verbal Harassment?
Conversations that are too personal
Rating/commenting on someone’s body
Jokes of a sexual nature
Sexual suggestions, comments
Making fun of someone’s sexual preference (Gay, Lesbian, Straight)
Making negative comments about someone’s family member or friend who is gay
Saying things like “That’s So Gay”
Comments about body parts or rating someone’s body
Continually asking someone out when they are not interested
Sexual suggestions, threats
Rumors
Sexual jokes
Conversations that are too personal
Insulting comments about sexual orientation
Name calling
Both girls and boys
ch10_image02heybaby.jpg [Computer Image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from 10sexharassment.html

5. What is Visual Harassment ?
Obscene gestures
Displaying obscene pictures
Online-FaceTime, Skype, Snapchat
Sexting- Permanent, Illegal,
Staring or pointing at a person’s body in a way that is too personal (both girls and boys)
Displaying obscene sexual material or placing it in someone’s locker or computer
Writing a person’s name along with sexual remarks (inappropriate notes) or posting it on their page/account
Making obscene gestures
Sexting: Sending sexually explicit messages or photographs between cell phones
Some teenagers who have texted photographs of themselves, or of their friends or partners, have been charged with distribution of child pornography.
Those who have received the images have been charged with possession of child pornography.
You forgot the easiest place to visually harass someone: online!
Jurisdiction: it used to be that schools could not take action on incidents that occurred online outside of the school building, that is not necessarily true anymore. If it causes disruption or disturbance to the school day or to students.
prog1.jpg [Computer Image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from
Getty (n.d.). texting_ c.jpg [Computer Image]. Retrieved from uknews/ /Sexting-trend-of explicit-photo-exchange-among-teenagers-charity-warns.html

6. What is Physical Harassment?
Preventing someone from moving freely
Kissing against his or her will
Flagging/Pantsing
Grabbing/touching
“What kinds of physical harassment have you seen?”
Grabbing or touching in a sexual way
Tearing or pulling at a person’s clothing
Purposely bumping or brushing against someone
Kissing or holding a person against his/her will
Preventing someone from moving freely
Flagging (MUST mention this specifically) Any incident will be treated as a very serious violation .
CLICK
Cerebellum Corporation. (2010, February 18). Talking about sexual harassment [Video file]. Retrieved from YouTube .com on October 10, 2010.

7. Sexual Harassment vs. Flirting
Equal, respectful
Feel powerless
Feel in control
It also depends on:
Frequency
Relationship
Are you good friends?
Acquaintances?
In a position of authority over the other person?
Location
School or work (person has no choice in where they are)
Public place or private home (person has a choice in being there)
Feels comfortable
Intimidating, upsetting
Illegal

8. Why is this information important to students?
According to national study of teens and preteens in public schools:
80% of females and 60% of males experienced sexual harassment while in school-that’s a LOT of kids!
You can get in BIG trouble at school for sexual harassment
There is even a Federal Law to protect you and your rights in school when it comes to sexual harassment and discrimination, its called Title IV

9. So…if it’s happening to you:
Please DO:
*Tell the person that is bothering you that you don’t like it and you want it to stop.
*Tell and adult who can help: teacher, counselor, administrator, parent, or other trusted adult
Please DON’T
*Ignore it
*Hurt the person or react with violence