Sexual harassment common among school students, study finds
New York Times
In Print: Monday, November 7, 2011
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Nearly half of 7th- to 12th-graders experienced sexual harassment in the last school year, according to a study scheduled for release today, with 87 percent of those who have been harassed reporting negative effects such as absenteeism, poor sleep and stomachaches.
On its survey of a nationally representative group of 1,965 students, the American Association of University Women, a nonprofit research organization, defined harassment as "unwelcome sexual behavior that takes place in person or electronically." Overall, girls reported being harassed more than boys — 56 percent compared with 40 percent — though it was evenly divided during middle school. Boys were more likely to be the harassers, according to the study, and children from lower-income families reported more severe effects.
"It's pervasive, and almost a normal part of the school day," said Catherine Hill, the director of research at the association and one of the authors of the report.
Overall, 48 percent of students surveyed said they were harassed during the 2010-11 school year. Forty-four percent of students said they were harassed "in person" — being subjected to unwelcome comments or jokes, inappropriate touching or sexual intimidation — and 30 percent reported online harassment, like receiving unwelcome comments, jokes or pictures through texts, e-mail, Facebook and other tools, or having sexual rumors, information or pictures spread about them.
In person or not, more girls were victims: 52 percent of girls said they had been harassed in person, and 36 percent online, compared with 35 percent of boys who were harassed in person and 24 percent online.
The study asked students to reflect on the 2010-11 school year in an attempt to capture the prevalence of sexual harassment, the effects it has on the harassed and the reasons the harassers engage in the behavior.
[Last modified: Nov 06, 2011 10:27 PM]
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Copyright 2011 St. Petersburg Times
New York Times
In Print: Monday, November 7, 2011
=================================================
Nearly half of 7th- to 12th-graders experienced sexual harassment in the last school year, according to a study scheduled for release today, with 87 percent of those who have been harassed reporting negative effects such as absenteeism, poor sleep and stomachaches.
On its survey of a nationally representative group of 1,965 students, the American Association of University Women, a nonprofit research organization, defined harassment as "unwelcome sexual behavior that takes place in person or electronically." Overall, girls reported being harassed more than boys — 56 percent compared with 40 percent — though it was evenly divided during middle school. Boys were more likely to be the harassers, according to the study, and children from lower-income families reported more severe effects.
"It's pervasive, and almost a normal part of the school day," said Catherine Hill, the director of research at the association and one of the authors of the report.
Overall, 48 percent of students surveyed said they were harassed during the 2010-11 school year. Forty-four percent of students said they were harassed "in person" — being subjected to unwelcome comments or jokes, inappropriate touching or sexual intimidation — and 30 percent reported online harassment, like receiving unwelcome comments, jokes or pictures through texts, e-mail, Facebook and other tools, or having sexual rumors, information or pictures spread about them.
In person or not, more girls were victims: 52 percent of girls said they had been harassed in person, and 36 percent online, compared with 35 percent of boys who were harassed in person and 24 percent online.
The study asked students to reflect on the 2010-11 school year in an attempt to capture the prevalence of sexual harassment, the effects it has on the harassed and the reasons the harassers engage in the behavior.
[Last modified: Nov 06, 2011 10:27 PM]
Click here for reuse options! Copyright 2011 St. Petersburg Times
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