NCJ Number
164285
Date Published
1996
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This paper notes that women may not label their experiences as academic sexual harassment, despite the fact that such experiences meet the legal definition of this form of victimization.
Abstract
Outcomes of the sexual harassment victimization process in the academic setting are examined from three main perspectives: school/work-related, psychological or emotional, and physiological or health-related. Research has documented that sexual harassment decreases morale and absenteeism, satisfaction with career goals, and performance and that it damages interpersonal relationships on campus. Consequences of being sexually harassed can have devastating effects on the emotional health of students and campus employees. These consequences include depression, feelings of helplessness, strong fear reactions, loss of control, and decreased motivation. Physical symptoms associated with academic sexual harassment include headaches, sleep disturbances, eating disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, nausea, weight loss or gain, and crying spells. Sexual harassment victims need to be empowered and should view sexual harassment as resulting from opportunities presented by power and authority relations derived from the educational system's hierarchical nature. In addition, specific interventions should be employed to prevent sexual harassment: place items relating to sexist comments or sexual invitations on teaching evaluation; publish articles on sexual harassment in student newspapers; disseminate information about institutional policies that prohibit sexual harassment at new student orientations and in dormitories; and set up community activist strategies to raise public awareness and to protest particular instances of sexual harassment. An ecological perspective that incorporates educational, psychotherapeutic, legal, and sociocultural components is suggested to handle sexual harassment on college campuses. 1 reference