|
Sexual harassment covers a range of behaviors, including sexual insults and name-calling; inappropriate jokes, intimidation by words or actions; offensive touching such as tickling, pinching, patting, or grabbing; pressure for sexual activity; assault; and rape. It is subjective, defined by the person being targeted; what may be hostile, humiliating, and is actually offensive to one student, may not be perceived that way by another student. Being the target of sexual harassment may make it very difficult for a child to go to school or participate in school activities.
Sexual Harassment: Flirting or Hurting?
Adapted to be age appropriate for grades 6-12. This program is usually for three classroom periods ranging from 45 minutes to one hour; however, it can be expanded to meet the needs of specific classes.
MCVP discusses the legal definition of sexual harassment, legal consequences, and school policy. Activities begin by students generating a list of words, gestures, and physical signs that they have seen or heard dealing with sexual harassment. They learn that sexual harassment is the impact on the target, rather than the intent of the harasser. Students learn the difference between flirting and sexual harassment. We interact with the students by doing age-appropriate role-plays, improvisations or small mixed-gender group case studies. The video based on this curriculum, also called "Flirting or Hurting", is shown in two segments. Part 1 helps to identify the behaviors, and part 2 shows what options targets and bystanders have to stop harassment. It is important for the students to understand how the target, harasser, and bystander feel when sexual harassment is occurring and what their options and resources are. |
