CYP Now - Sexual Harassment in Secondary School: Prevalence and Ambiguities

The UK government commissioned Ofsted to undertake a rapid review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges. Findings, published in June 2021, revealed sexual harassment and online sexual abuse are so commonplace for many young people that they see no point in reporting them.

Students were asked if they had experienced 17 different kinds of sexual harassment in school. Picture: Benschonewille/Adobe Stock

Link to report: Sexual Harassment in Secondary School: Prevalence and Ambiguities

Authors: Helen Sweeting, Carolyn Blake, Julie Riddell, Simon Barrett, Kirstin Mitchell

Published by: PLOS One, February 2022

SUMMARY

Researchers from the University of Glasgow wanted to establish the prevalence and perceptions of sexual harassment in schools, investigating what young people think “counts” as sexual harassment. They surveyed 638 13- to 17-year-olds in three Scottish schools and carried out 18 focus groups with 119 students. The survey defined sexual harassment as “any unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature that you find offensive or which makes you feel uncomfortable, intimidated or humiliated”.

Students were asked whether they had experienced 17 different kinds of sexual harassment in school – or on the way to school – in the last three months and whether they had done any of the 17 things to another student. Examples of harassment included making sexual jokes, gestures or looks, spreading sexual rumours, and pulling clothing down or off.

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