Sexual Harassment

Jeffrey R. Marshall, MSUM Intern 2000-2001 Burnsville High School Burnsville, Minnesota

Marlys Thom, Leadership Coordinator

Judy Haugen, Professional School Counselor, retired Burnsville High School Burnsville, Minnesota

Description of the Lesson(s) or Program

Self-Esteem, Communication, and Sexual Harassment are three developmental guidance lessons developed at Burnsville High School by Judy Haugen to assist sophomores in learning to transition better between junior high and high school and what is expected of them as they are growing up to become young adults.  The lessons are taught by the counselor with members of the LIFE group leading the small group discussions.  The LIFE group is a student leadership group comprised of seniors who go through extensive training in the summer to become facilitators and teachers of these classes.  LIFE stands for Leading, Involving, Facilitating, and Educating.  It is the belief of the department and school that the sophomores will actually learn the material better and have a greater respect for the material if led by peers.  Each lesson is designed to be delivered within a 50-minute period.

Purpose:

1.      Define and discuss sexual harassment

2.      Identify sexual harassment behavior observed in schools

3.      State the difference between flirting and sexual harassment

4.      Practice a technique for handling harassment

Materials:

·        Video: Sexual Harassment – Dateline News

·        Hand-out – How Much Do You Know…/Identifying Behaviors

·        Hand-out – Behaviors Which May Constitute…

·        Poster – Eye of the Beholder

·        Hand-out – I.S.D. Policy/How to Handle a Harasser

·        Hand-out – Some Assumptions and Attitudes…

·        Hand-out – Case Studies/How Much…answer key & discussion questions

Because of the sensitivity of this topic, the script has been written out word-for-word for the LIFE students to use within their small groups.

Counselor:  We are here today to talk about sexual harassment.  This unit on sexual harassment is to learn what it is and what to do if it happens to you.  It is also to help you know how to avoid harassing others.  Sexual harassment is sometimes a hard thing to talk about because we get embarrassed.  Not everyone even knows what sexual harassment is.  We do know that it is a serious problem for students in school, work, and college.  In fact, people of all ages are victims of sexual harassment.  Today in our small groups we are going to take a look at the problem and what we can do about it.

Procedure:

Show sexual harassment news video to large group.  Break into groups for small group discussions.

LIFE student #1 – Like you heard before, sexual harassment is sometimes a hard thing to talk about because we get embarrassed.  Also, a lot of students aren’t sure what it is.  It is important that we all understand what it is and what kinds of things we do to each other that sexually harass.

LIFE student #2 – We want to say from the start, that this is not a “pick on the guys” topic.  Although research reports that the majority of sexual harassment is directed at females, there are more and more cases of female to male harassment being reported.  Whoever it happens to, it is a major social problem and causes social and emotional problems for the victims.

LIFE student #1 – Let’s start with what we know about sexual harassment.  Here is a pre-test for you to check what you know.  Hand out pre-test, complete, check answers.

LIFE student #2 – Most of us have been the target of or have seen examples of sexual harassment.  Let’s brainstorm a list of as many sexual harassment behaviors as we can think of that we are aware of at school or work.  Think about different places in or around the school where it may have occurred – gym, hallway, lunchroom, classroom, lockers, the bus, at extra-curricular activities like sports events, band, etc.  An example would be a girl/boy walking by a group of students to get to her or his locker and hearing comments about his/her body, reputation, etc.  First a quick definition:  It’s any unwanted sexual attention from friends, other students, teachers, principals, counselors, janitors, secretaries, teammates, opposing teams, etc.

·        Brainstorm!!  Then go over list.

·        Show poster “Eye of the Beholder”

·        Hand-out – “Behaviors Which May…”  Go over, discuss.  Which are they surprised at?

·        Hand-out – “Identifying Harassment/Flirting” – Note the categories and especially the differences between harassment and flirting.

LIFE student #1 – In fact, sexual harassment is not necessarily about sexuality.  It involves gender being used as a basis for differentiating power in society.  As with rape, sexual harassment is very often not sexually motivated.  It is motivated out of hostility and power needs, and uses sexuality as a way to express that power.  Society teaches us at an early age and by the time we are teenagers, we have some ideas about power.  Social myths tell guys what is expected of them – to be macho, in control, dominant, and aggressive.

LIFE student #2 – Some males think conquering a female is part of building the male ego.  Females are thought of as sex objects and are encouraged to be passive, nurturing, supportive, and to get their identity from men.  This is a source of a lot of the sexual harassment.  Females think nothing can be done about it and that they are at fault.  Females are expected to enjoy catcalls, whistles and leers, and to be flattered by them.  They don’t.  And now to get even or their share of the power, many females are doing their own harassing of the harassing males.

Now look again at the “Effects on the Victim” sheet.  This is where the damage is done.  This is what the poster, “In the Eye of the Beholder” means.  This is the part harassers don’t think about and victims can’t forget.

LIFE student #1 – So instead of everyone being out of control, what can you do to stop the cycle?  First of all, there are school policies against harassment, and it can be reported to the Principal.  Read over ISD 191 policy.  However, before it goes that far, here is something you can do to stop it.

LIFE student #2 – Use the “How to Handle a Harasser” sheet.  Go over it, role-play a situation with your partner (from the case study sheet).  Have them pick a situation from your list and practice only the part of the harassee.  No need to practice the harassing!

Go over the case studies until the end of the hour.

Ask questions for discussion if more time is available.

Be sure to leave time at the end for processing.  What did you learn today?  How will you use this in your everyday life?  What can you teach others about this?  How big of a problem is this within our school?  Etc.

Connections to Related Standards, Competencies, and Domains

The sexual harassment lesson directly relates to the personal/social domain.  Sexual harassment is a major problem within schools and in all aspects of our society.  It is an issue that is not addressed often enough.  Students need to be educated about what it is, what constitutes sexual harassment, and what its devastating effects can be.

This lesson also plugs into the educational and career domains.  Students are learning that sexual harassment occurs in all walks of life – school, the workplace, in social settings.  In this lesson, they are educated on how to avoid being a sexual harasser and what to do if you are sexually harassed.

For Further Information

Marlys Thom

Leadership Coordinator

Burnsville High School

Burnsville, Minnesota

Phone  (952) 707-2100

Fax  (952) 707-2102

E-mail  mthom@burnsville.k12.mn.us