Dear Students:
It has come to my attention that a number of students have been victims of sexual harassment. Harassment of any kind is not in keeping with our school’s philosophy or practice of mutual respect. The New York City Discipline Code forbids it, as well.
I would like you to read this letter and discuss it with your teachers and family.
One common question I have been asked is: What exactly is sexual harassment? Sexual harassment is any unwelcome, unwanted behavior of a sexual nature that makes one feel uncomfortable or creates a hostile environment, and may include, but is not limited to, comments, touching, joking, posting of photos or other sexually explicit behavior, or threats of negative effects following failure to commit sexual acts. If someone makes a comment or does something to make you uncomfortable it is not necessarily harassment unless the other person knows it makes you feel uncomfortable and continues doing it. For example, no, asking a girl out is not sexual harassment. However, if she tells you “no” and you continue to ask her out every day after she tells you to stop, that could be considered harassment. The main requirements of sexual harassment are:
- The harasser must be aware that her/his behavior is making the victim feel uncomfortable - some cases of sexual harassment are based on misunderstandings; the person committing the behavior might not realize that the victim isn’t amused or doesn’t like the behavior. If someone makes you uncomfortable let him know and give him a chance to stop doing it on his own.
- There must be intent to harm the victim or cause a negative reaction - someone who sexually harasses you is intentionally trying to make you feel bad or get some kind of reaction from you. It is possible that someone can say something that you will interpret in a way it was not intended (which goes back to the need to let people know if their behavior affects you negatively).
- The behavior usually occurs more than once - harassment usually happens on a regular basis over a period of time. If a guy told you a dirty joke one day and it made you feel uncomfortable, it is not necessarily harassment, but if he tells you dirty jokes every day it could be.
- The harasser is able to know the difference between right and wrong – in some cases, he person committing the behavior may not be able to make judgments about what is right and wrong, due to a young age or mental impairment.
- The behavior is of a sexual nature - It’s true that some students experience unpleasant treatment by classmates in school. It is an issue of respecting others and the ability to put themselves in other’s shoes before acting. However, sexual harassment refers to behavior of a sexual nature, and, while other improper or hurtful behavior may have similar causes and effects, it falls under a different category.
Can boys be harassed? Boys can be sexually harassed, although it is less common.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Ophals
Principal