Student-Generated Sexual Harassment in Secondary Schools

Wetzel and Brown examine the extent to which student-to-student sexual harassment exists in secondary schools today. They provide evidence that student sexual harassment is not only currently widespread, it is also unconsciously and consciously condoned by school authorities who are charged with providing a safe and effective educational environment.

After reviewing the state of sexual harassment in American high schools, the authors provide the best practices for increasing awareness of what behaviors constitute sexual harassment as well as alert readers to the negative impact on both boys and girls, where sexual harassment is most likely to take place, and ways students can become more socially adept. A template for developing a school district policy is presented as are strategies for educating and dissemination. Practical and specific strategies for parents, teachers, and students are presented in detail.

Examines student-to-student sexual harassment and its impact on the educational and psychological well-being of adolescents.

VOYA

In 1979, the term "sexual harassment" entered the American vocabulary. Although the words have become part of the American experience, the understanding of sexual harassment still needs work. In American schools, sexual harassment is pervasive and something kids believe they must live with. It is an expected and accepted part of growing up in this "boys will be boys" culture. This view ignores the fact that harassment is about power. The harasser, the target, and the quiet witnesses carry the marks of this power forever. Too often adults do not know what to do, so they do nothing, therefore supporting the harassment with their silence and joining those powerless victims. Wetzel and Brown have written a fine, although limited, manual for confronting this problem. Administrators can read this book and set up an efficient, comprehensive plan of action to begin altering the school environment. Teachers, counselors, and staff at all levels will find ways to deal with sexual harassment, from establishing appropriate staff attitudes, hallway atmosphere, and bus behavior to prevention techniques and intervention strategies. The authors discuss the creation and publicizing of a harassment policy, an established grievance procedure with set consequences, and ongoing training of staff and students. One major problem is the heterosexist viewpoint and the omission of homophobia. Anyone who teaches knows that the derogatory use of the word "gay" contributes daily to the existence of the hostile environment of sexual harassment. If educators continue to ignore the ten-percent of gay and lesbian students who are the most current targets, they will be doing little to end this social injustice. Index.Biblio. 2000, Greenwood, 192p. PLB $49.95. Ages Adult. Reviewer: C. J. Bott SOURCE: VOYA, August 2001 (Vol. 24, No. 3)

ROBERTA WETZEL is an instructor in Virginia Beach City Public Schools' Special Education Department at the Frank W. Cox High School.

NINA W. BROWN is Professor of Counseling in Old Dominion University's Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling.