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Harassment & Abuse
in the High School Environment
Presented by:
Andy Yeager…
Stephanie Mulfinger, LCSW
Coordinator, Bergen County Traumatic Loss Coalition
All students have a right to
receive an education and to
attend schools free from
abuse and harassment
Civil Rights Act; TITLE IX
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Federal Law which protects students from
sex discrimination, including sexual
harassment by a student or faculty member
Schools can be held responsible for failing
to stop the harassment of a student
The school is responsible to take action to
stop the harassment once the school
becomes aware of the situation
Sexual Harassment
… is generally defined as physical or
verbal conduct of a sexual nature that
is unwelcome and unwanted
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Is the action unwelcome?
Is the action unwanted?
Is this behavior or action unwelcome?
Or unwanted?
The answer will be determined by:
 The relationship between the two
individuals
AND
 The perception of the individual
subjected to the behavior
The relationship is a factor when ….
Touching (such as a hug, tap, pat ) or
a comment of a sexual nature may, at
times, be acceptable among friends.
However, this behavior can be viewed
as unwelcome sexual harassment!
The perception is a factor when….
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Sometimes vague, questionable or
even seemingly innocent comments
or gestures can be perceived as
uncomfortable
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Especially for those who have a
history or past experience with other
forms of harassment or abuse
Sexual Harassment
... Crosses the line from inappropriate
behavior to a criminal act when the
behavior is:
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Severe and Pervasive
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Obviously Offensive
Severe and Pervasive means…
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A repeated pattern of behavior that
occurs over a period of time
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A single comment or incident does not
constitute harassment, UNLESS
The behavior is Obviously Offensive
when…
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The conduct is so offensive, vulgar or
inappropriate that “No reasonable
person would perceive the behavior as
innocent.”
Here, a single comment or gesture
could qualify as objectively offensive
Sexual Harassment can be:
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Verbal
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Non-Verbal Conduct
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Physical
Verbal
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Repeated sexual remarks about a person’s
body, clothing, or personal life
Frequent sexual teasing
Repeated sexual requests or invitations
Especially
 After being told they are unwelcome or
unwanted
Non Verbal Conduct
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Staring, gawking, leering, whistling
Posting or displaying sexual materials
or pictures
Lewd hand or bodily gestures
Mimicking sexual expressions or
actions
Physical Contact
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Fondling, grabbing, patting, pinching,
slapping, spanking
Especially in the breasts, buttocks or
genital area
Actual or attempted kissing
“Accidentally” touching or bumping into
another individual
Other Types of Harassment
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Dating Violence/Abuse from current or
previous relationships
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Bullying
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Racism
Why doesn’t anybody tell?
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Anxiety & Worry
“What will my friends and family think about me?”
“Everyone will think something is wrong with me!”
Guilt & Self Blame
“It’s my fault, I deserved it!”
“I should have said no, I should have stopped it!”
Fear, Shame & Embarrassment:
“No one will believe me! They will think I liked it!”
“It’s my word against theirs!”
What should I do if it happens to me?
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Remember; this is not your fault. You are not responsible for
the actions of another person
Talk to someone you trust, you are not alone
Tell the person to stop. Let them know their actions are
unwelcome and unwanted
Try to avoid being alone with this person. Walk away from the
situation
Try to remember dates and times of the incident(s), tell
someone else as soon as possible
Report inappropriate behavior to the school, it is difficult to
help you if no one knows what is happening.
Remember, your school has a policy against sexual
harassment and abuse
What should I do if this happens to one of
my friends?
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Try to be supportive and not judgemental
Tell them is not their fault and they are not
responsible for the actions of another person
Encourage them to stay away from the harasser
Encourage them to report this to an adult, family
member, school official or to the police
Tell an adult that you trust about your concerns for
this person
Don’t spread rumors or false information
What should I do if someone I am
dating is being harassed?
What should I do if the person harassing me
or my friend is the same gender?
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Both males and females can be sexually harassed
The offender can also be a male or a female
Sexual harassment is wrong, regardless of the
gender of either person
Sexual harassment is unwelcome and unwanted,
therefore it has no bearing on the sexual
preferences of the person being harassed
If someone is harassed by another person, who is
the same gender, it does not mean that they are
homosexual
What is my school’s policy?
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??
How can I feel safe at school?
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Become familiar with your school’s policy on sexual
harassment and know how to file a complaint
Follow your school’s policies regarding appropriate
behavior
Know the counseling and guidance faculty at your
school, they are available to help
Report any incidents that occur in the school to the
faculty and/or to an adult that you trust
Once your school is aware of the harassment, they
can take action to help and protect you!