1. Reference for powerpoint:
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Reference for powerpoint:
Sexual Harassment: Pick and Choose Activities for Grades 7- 12, Betty M. Hubbard, EdD, ETR Associates

2. SEXUAL HARASSMENT Objectives: Students will
define four types of sexual harassment actions
be able to differentiate sexual harassment from flirting or teasing behavior
Know to whom it should be reported
Essential Question:
“What is sexual harassment and how does it impact the victim? How does it differ from teasing or flirting behavior?”
REFERENCES: “SEXUAL HARASSMENT: Pick and Choose Activities for Grades 7-12 by Betty M. Hubbard, EdD, 1996.

3. AGENDA
ACTIVATOR: Write down one difference between flirting and harassment
Remind about missing articles and grades closing soon…collect articles
Quick recap 4 categories of harassment
Pass out and finish going over Sexual Harassment ppt
Agree/Disagree activity
Wrap-up
Officer Hocking after lunch

4. SHARON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Policy Statement
Sexual harassment is prohibited by both federal and state statutes and will not be tolerated in the Sharon Public Schools.
An explanation of the federal and state laws may be obtained at either the Principal’s or Superintendent of Schools’ office

5. SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS BEHAVIOR THAT IS…
sexual in nature
can be described as harmful, annoying, bothersome, or physically and/or emotionally injurious.
Sexual harassment is defined by the victim and covers a range of behaviors, including but not limited to
sexual insults and name calling
gossip, jokes, intimidation by words or actions
offensive touching, and pressure for sexual activity.

6. Definition SPS (Cont)
Sexual harassment can be subtle and ambiguous, or direct and overt.
Both males and females may be subject to sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment may occur:
-student to student
-staff to student
-student to staff
-staff to staff

7. SEXUAL HARASSMENT ACTIONS
SEXUAL ADVANCES – trying to get someone to do something sexual
SEXUAL FAVORS – sexual actions performed for some reward
VERBAL CONDUCT OF A SEXUAL NATURE – unwanted comments about a person’s clothes, gender or body
PHYSICAL CONDUCT OF A SEXUAL NATURE – unwanted touching or gestures

8. Possible legal CHARGES related to Sexual Behavior
Indecent assault & battery on a child under 14
Indecent assault & battery on a child over 14
Disseminating obscene matter
Disseminating obscene matter to a minor
Annoying and accosting a person sexually (sexual harassment)
Enticing
Lewd and lascivious conduct
Open and gross lewdness
Indecent exposure

9. SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS ILLEGAL WHEN…
Submission to such conduct is either explicitly or implicitly made a term or condition of an individual’s employment
Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting the individual
Such conduct has the purpose of effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or ***creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work (or school) environment.***
~Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

10. Recap…. What are the 4 categories of sexual harassment actions?
If a student makes a comment of a sexual nature to another student who laughs and is not bothered in any way by it, is it considered sexual harassment?
How about if the same comment is said to a different student who is upset by it and feels humiliated?

11. “In the eye of the beholder”
SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS…
“In the eye of the beholder”

12. FLIRTING vs. SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Receivers feel
HAPPY
FLATTERED
IN CONTROL
ATTRACTIVE
IMPORTANT
Actions are
MUTUAL
FLATTERING
A COMPLIMENT
UPLIFTING
DESIRED
MOTIVATED BY CARING
LEGAL
Causes
HIGHER SELF-ESTEEM
Victims feel
ANGRY
SAD
POWERLESS
UGLY
UNIMPORTANT
Actions are
ONE-SIDED
HUMILIATING
A CRITICISM
ATTACKING
UNDESIRED MOTIVATED BY POWER
ILLEGAL
Causes
LOWER SELF-ESTEEM

13. THE ABUSE OF POWER FEELINGS FREEDOM TO ACT TOUCH FLIRTING Good Yes
welcome
INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR
Confused
maybe
unwelcome
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
bad
limited
threatening
SEXUAL ASSAULT (RAPE)
afraid
none
forced

14. TEASING, HUMOR OR SEXUAL HARASSMENT?
ASK YOURSELF:
Freedom to act – Is the other person free to complain about the action? Do both people have control in the situation? Could either person stop the action?
Equal relationship – Do both people have equal power in the situation? Power can be formal: teachers, administrators, bosses, etc. Power can also be informal: popularity, size, gender, money.
Feelings – Will both people leave the situation feeling good about themselves and the other person?
Touch – If touch is involved, do both people feel OK about the kind of touch?

15. WHY IS SEXUAL HARASSMENT A PROBLEM?
FACTORS:
SOCIAL NORMS
POOR COMMUNICATION
GENDER STEREOTYPES
LACK OF POLICY AND EDUCATION
NO FOLLOW-THROUGH
NO CONSEQUENCES
FAILURE TO REPORT

16. TO REPORT OR NOT REPORT?
REASONS PEOPLE DON’T REPORT SEXUAL HARASSMENT:
Think nothing will happen if they report it
Feel embarrassed
Feel afraid
Blame themselves
Don’t know how to report the harassment
Don’t want anyone to get in trouble
Think others will make fun of them
Don’t trust “the system”
Don’t want to cause trouble
Don’t realize that the behavior is sexual harassment

17. INFORMAL RESOLUTIONS
Tell the person to STOP either in person or in writing
Does not always work
When communicating with the harasser, the victim should include 4 points:
A description of the harassing behavior
How the harassment makes the victim feel
The effects of the behavior
A request that the harasser stop

18. STEPS TO STOP SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN SCHOOL
Tell the person to STOP
“I want you to stop__________”
“It makes me feel _________ when you ______”
Tell an adult at school
Teacher, Counselor, Principal, etc
Tell an adult at home
Document/write down the behavior
Who?
Where?
What?
When?
Witnesses?