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Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Secondary education

Sexual harassment in schools...teachers/parents your input please?

10 replies

WimpleOfTheBallet · 10/01/2011 18:42

I wanted to ask if the issue of sexual harassment in school is ever discussed with pupils by teachers?

It's a big issue and is being discussed a lot [http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_campaigns/1119838-Girls-body-confidence-what-do-you-think-could-improve-it/AllOnOnePage#23125102 here]

on MN. There's a link to some research (recent) which suggests that a crazily high proportion of girls are sffering daily sexual harassment from boys in their secondary schools...there's also a link within the thread in the above link to a very sad discussion on here about Mnetters experiences.

So...is there any advice or teaching re respect and sexual harassment?

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WimpleOfTheBallet · 10/01/2011 18:43

sorry! Link here

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nickschick · 10/01/2011 18:45

I havent read the thread but I can wholeheartedly tell you that girls can and do sexually harrass boys too ......ds1 and ds2 are 'victims'* of this behaviour- its not just a boy - girl thing.

on the whole ds 's didnt object .

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WimpleOfTheBallet · 10/01/2011 18:49

Well...I never suggested it was. On the link I give, you will see that I (only one contributer of many) add that girls also need to be educated re this...but for the purposes of the issue...I want to know..and others do too...if there is any teaching done regarding the issue at school.

So perhaps best to read the thread as we've already established it's not only girls who suffer.

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WimpleOfTheBallet · 10/01/2011 18:51

Also nickschick I think your winky winky nudge nude attitude is wholeheartedly unhealthy. Read the thread. There are some very sad stories. This is bullying we are talking about. Not "Carry on at Secondary"

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nickschick · 10/01/2011 18:55

FGS take it in the spirit to which it was intended - I did post here last year about a girl of 13 knocking on the door offering ds sexual favours ...ds was at the time 16 ....she continued to text him and follow him and the boy handled it really well and wasnt in any way leading her on ,lets not say all sexual advances and harrasment is done by boys.

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SleepingLion · 10/01/2011 19:05

I don't teach PSHE as part of my remit, and I am not a form tutor, but I never let sexual harassment go unchallenged in my classes. I rarely see overt harassment of one specific individual, and have never seen physical sexual harassment, but I do pick up on what tends to be thoughtless/casual (rather than malicious and purposeful) sexual comment and make sure the student concerned knows the gravity of what they regard as an off-the-cuff comment or reaction.

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WimpleOfTheBallet · 10/01/2011 19:17

nickschick...that's not the issue. You were sniggering over serious issue. I'm very glad for your son that he dealt with the problems he had.

SLeepingLion....it's good to hear that...I knew there would be individual teachers who callenges it...bt do you know if it is adressed in PSHE?

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WimpleOfTheBallet · 10/01/2011 19:17

challenged! not calleges!

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SleepingLion · 10/01/2011 19:22

I don't think it is addressed as vigorously as it should be, although we have just had an interesting INSET where a legal bod spoke to us about criminal law and just what students can be found guilty of when engaging in what is often dismissed as horseplay. So she was telling us that we might laugh off an incident as not being that serious but if parents chose to take it to the police, they would be within their rights to charge students with criminal acts. It was a real eye-opener.

I worry about how little the school deals with things like: sexual harassment, emotional/physical/sexual violence in teenage relationships, eating disorders and body image. It doesn't seem to be openly addressed, iyswim.

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WimpleOfTheBallet · 10/01/2011 19:42

That's so helpful to a parent to hear SleepingLion...it's interesting then...what some people are saying on the other thread is that most teenagers would faint before discussing things like sexual harassment with their parents...especially if they were a victim.

So even though it appears that some "horseplay" could in fact be treated as a crime, there's probably little chance of these things ever going to the police as kids are too embarrased and often see it as something to be put up with.

I really think the kids need to have the lid blown off...and for it to be discussed amongst them with the help of trained teachers.