Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

4-25-2025

Keywords

adolescents, embarrassment, gender identity, school environment, sexual harassment, sexual orientation, student victim

Disciplines

Developmental Psychology

Abstract

Sexual harassment includes any sort of unwanted 1) physical contact such as hugging, touching clothing, flashing sexual body parts, stroking hair or body parts, and sexual assault; 2) verbal or written communications including suggestive comments, inappropriate jokes, requests for sexual favors, comments about someone’s body, rumor spreading, or threats of sexual contact; and 3) non-verbal actions such as staring, sharing naked photographs, or making suggestive gestures or expressions. Sexual harassment also includes nonsexual aggressions directed at a student because of their gender identity or sexual orientation. For example, if a teacher makes a comment about females being less intelligent than males simply because they are female, it would be considered sex discrimination, a form of sexual harassment. When these actions occur frequently or are severe enough to cause a student to feel uncomfortable and/or confused and interfere with classes or school involvement, it is considered sexual harassment.

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