Sexual harassment - 1st years

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• Higher Education (non-degree)

Sexual harassment

What is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment

The law defines sexual harassment as “unwanted conduct on the ground of a person’s sex; or unwanted conduct of a sexual nature”

‘Peer on Peer’ in schools and colleges means sexual harassment perpetrated by other students.

Sexual Harassment

OFSTED says "Sexual harassment has become normalised for children and young people" - 10/6/21

That's NOT ok.

This OFSTED statistic relates to 'Peer on peer' harassment. 

What does this term mean? 

Here at Colchester Institute we would define sexual harassment as: any unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature that makes you feel distressed, intimidated or humiliated.

900 young people and children contributed to a study about sexual harassment in schools and colleges.

They shared concerns, suggesting that incidents of different kinds were frequent.

However most had never reported it to anyone. Why?

Why do you think people don't report incidents of sexual harassment?

Lack of reporting

• Many were unsure as to the boundaries around appropriate behaviours
  
• Fear of reprisal
  
• Thinking it’s “cool” to be part of “flirty” chat even if it makes you feel a bit awkward at times
  
• Because “you just don’t, it’s grassing”
  
• Feelings of embarrassment
  
• Didn’t realise it was sexual harassment

Discuss some examples of sexual harassment? 

Examples

Sexual harassment or bullying can include:

• Making sexual jokes, comments, or gestures to/about someone
  
• Spreading sexual rumors (in person, by text, or online)
  
• Writing sexual messages about people in toilets/public places
  
• Showing someone inappropriate sexual pictures or videos
  
• Asking someone to send you naked pictures ("nudes")
  
• Posting sexual comments, pictures, or videos on social media
  
• Sending explicit text messages
  
• Making sexual comments or offers while pretending to be someone else online
  
• Touching, grabbing, or pinching in a deliberately sexual way
  
• Pulling at clothing and brushing up against them in a purposefully sexual way
  
• Asking someone to go out with you over and over again, even after the person has said no
  

What would you do if you felt uncomfortable or concerned? 

What would you do?

• There is no single “right way” to respond to sexual harassment as each situation is unique.
  
• Ideally the best way is to tell the person doing the harassing to stop; letting him/her know that their behaviour is not okay with you. This does not have to be direct or confrontational, a simple “cut it out” should indicate that it is unacceptable to you.
• It is the case however that sometimes the harasser may laugh off your request to stop, tease you about it and bother you more.
  
• This is when you need to talk to someone you can trust.
  
• If a situation involves offensive texts, videos, pictures etc. it is important to save these as evidence.
  

What would you do if you saw something which looked like sexual harassment?

If you see something, say something.

• Bystanders can play an important role in stopping sexual harassment.
  
• If it appears safe and natural then speak up; you don’t need to confront the perpetrator, you can just say to the victim “Come on, let’s get out of here” and leave. If you don’t feel able to say something at the time, it is best to report the event to a trusted adult.
  
• This isn’t ‘grassing’-it’s doing the right thing.
  
• You could also talk to the victim and offer support.
  

Enough Campaign 

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