"Sexual Harassment at School"

Sexual Harassment at School

Sexual harassment in schools is illegal under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits sex discrimination in schools receiving federal funds. This law applies to all school-sponsored activities -- athletics, field trips, extracurricular programs, and bus or school-sponsored transportation. Title IX protects all students, male or female, from two types of Sexual Harassment: (1) quid pro quo and (2) hostile environment.

What should I do if I am being sexually harassed at school?If you are being sexually harassed, you are already aware of how humiliating, embarrassing or frightening an experience it can be. You are protected against this kind of behavior by Title IX, a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education.

There are steps you can take to bring an end to sexual harassment some you take on your own, and others you take with adults who are both willing and required, by law, to help you.

1. Do not ignore the sexual harassment.

2. Tell or write the person who's harassing you to STOP. It may not always be clear to your harasser that the behavior is unwelcome. If you're able, tell the person directly--or write in a letter--that you don't like his or her behavior and that you want it to stop. In a situation where you are afraid to address a harasser directly, you'll need to involve your parents and/or school officials.

3. Talk to someone you trust about how you're feeling. Friends, a trusted teacher, siblings and parents can all be helpful in giving you loving support as well as ideas for how to stop the harassment.

4. Inform your teacher, counselor or school principal that you are being sexually harassed. (Either you or your parents can bring the situation to their attention.) The school has a legal responsibility to respond to sexual harassment of its students.

5. Ask to see your school's sexual harassment policy. Schools are required to have a "Title IX" or sexual harassment policy. This policy should outline the proper steps or procedures you should take, and those THEY will take, in response to sexual harassment. Many schools include this policy in their student handbook. The school office should also have a copy of this policy readily available for you to read.

6. Find out who your school's Title IX officer is and contact him or her. Schools are required to identify a "Title IX" officer, at their school or at the school district, who responds to questions and complaints about sexual harassment. Some schools (or districts) have two appointed Title IX officers -one male and one female- in case students find it more comfortable reaching out to an adult of a particular gender.

7. If nothing happens after complaining to school officials, you can contact the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights and file a complaint against the school. (You can also file a complaint against the school in either state or federal court.)