SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT SCHOOL

Author- Meher Kaur

In this article , our intern Meher Kaur expressed her views on the topic mentioned above.

Sexual harassment in schools is unwanted and unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature that interferes with the right to receive an equal educational opportunity. Sexually harassing behaviors that can interfere with one’s educational opportunity range from words (written and spoken) and gestures to unwanted physical contact. Some of the behaviors may also be criminal acts (assault and rape, attempted or completed and child sexual abuse). Sexual harassment affects one’s well being physically, socially and emotionally. Mental/physical abuse that one goes through is extremely traumatic for the person. In no way, it should be open to skepticism or comparisons with society. In most of the cases, rate of violence, be it physical, domestic, emotional or sexual has always been higher for women as compared to men. Many factors act as a predisposing factors here. Some of them are as follows:

• Lack of education

• Lack of etiquettes [Consent, Respect, Dignity]

• Lack of sexual awareness

• Patriarchal notions

• Stereotypes [Considering women as a submissive gender]

• Not allowing multiple gender interactions

• No sex talk at home

• Inappropriate usage of internet and many other websites

Based on one’s own experiences, causes can vary. Let’s talk about each of the listed causes in brief. Lack of education deprives one of knowing their basic rights for which they stand for and fight against. For example, educating one about touch, closeness, proximity of opposite gender along with its appropriate form of conduct. Lack of etiquettes, In this, cases revolves around consent, respect and dignity of human being. Concept like consent is hardly known to people and many of us have these false beliefs of assuming YES even when the opposite person has no such intent. I personally have met people in life who were totally unaware about concept of consent. For them, it’s all okay, it doesn’t matter much, it’s always mutual or it’s our bond etc. On the other hand, my inner raging feminism loses control over situation. Lack of sexual awareness act as a primary causal factor in such cases. Having no appropriate sexual etiquettes, not knowing what is unacceptable, sexist comments and why they are offensive to be used in language just inflates the problem. Patriarchal Notions adds on as an extra stressor for the person, as patriarchy prioritizes men over women, which assumingly gives them the license to suppress women, humiliate women or even sexually harass women as they are submissive to them in gender. Stereotypes acts in a similar fashion, only difference lies in the cognitive mindset. Here, one carries negative attitude towards women as a gender which increases chances of sexual harassment. Not allowing multiple gender interactions restricts one’s horizon of social growth. One cannot function efficiently until one knows how to behave in society or with people around for which interactions with as many diverse people as possible is needed. No sex talk at home makes the child insecure about one’s body growth, hormones, needs and changes. It is very important to be discussed in a familial setup so that the child is fully aware of sex as a need and sex as a concept and do not end up getting in a false trap related to sexuality. Inappropriate usage of internet and many other websites are sources which distracts individual and tampers one’s mental as well as physical growth. Porn sites which are runned by many websites, though exists as a profession and for knowledge from one view of lens, but, anyhow, people end up watching these movies to such an extent that it influences their hormonal productions and shapes behavior accordingly which results in forceful sex/rape or sexual harassment. According to the survey conducted on sexual harassment of women at school, majority of the participants agreed to inappropriate gaze at sexual organs, sexual humiliation or comments passed, being spied by a group of males at any corridor of school etc. The compilation of data, shows the significant ground reality of sexual harassment of women at school. The entire survey was insightful to know the various means and intensity with which women till date get sexually harassed at school. Sexual harassment leads to one’s mental deterioration, emotional numbness, loss of pleasure, loss of interest in activities, lack of motivation and many more symptoms based on one’s own subjective experiences. I would like to conclude my article on sexual harassment of women at school by mentioning the importance of sex education, sex talk with teenagers/children so that their physical and mental growth both happens simultaneously and efficiently.