NCJ Number
161981
Date Published
1996
Length
109 pages
Annotation
This handbook defines sexual harassment and sexual abuse in schools, helps others recognize sexual harassment and abuse, suggests ways to create and foster an environment that will be healthy and free of harassment and abuse, outlines the best way to handle complaints, and proposes policies and procedures that will be supportive for both staff and students.
Abstract
The first chapter focuses on the definition of sexual harassment and abuse. It includes a review of the relevant literature, presents highlights of research on sexual harassment and sexual abuse, and profiles relevant laws and litigation. Chapter 2 presents step-by-step procedures for how to handle complaints that involve sexual abuse by a staff member and sexual harassment by a peer or adult. The concluding chapter addresses the prevention of sexual harassment and abuse. It advocates a comprehensive strategy that links equipping students and staff with the needed skills and mindsets to changing the culture of the school. A comprehensive program that incorporates strategies directed at the whole school community with those intended to change the climate of the school will be most effective for long- term change. Some of the recommendations are to establish a districtwide sexual harassment/abuse committee that includes members of the whole school community; create a peer sexual harassment policy and develop a sexual abuse policy; include in the district mission the goal to eradicate sexual harassment and abuse, as well as educate to change attitudes and behaviors; and educate the school community on an ongoing basis. The resource section lists videotapes, other media, organizations, and references and suggested readings. A 25-item annotated bibliography