On my first day at my new post, a gym teacher gave me a tour around school. I had a feeling he was undressing me with his eyes, but without physical contact I pushed my anxiousness aside. When we reached an abandoned section, he told me I needed to relax. He began massaging my shoulders and told me that I needed to work out, pointing to my behind. When he grabbed it, I turned and ran back to the main office.

What happened to me and to nearly two thirds of the student population was sexual harassment. University in particular is a hotbed for sexual harassment. Most of these incidences happen without physical contact, using such mediums as email or verbal remarks. But nearly a third of students are beleaguered by being touched, grabbed, or forced into sexual acts (Hill & Silva, 2005). With the legal entanglement and publicity that usually follows a report, most people will keep these occurrences to themselves.

With all the lawsuits and changing laws, it’s easy to get mixed up. Sexual harassment is defined as bothering someone repeatedly in a sexual way, or it is sexually charged behavior that is asked for and not returned. It is not something that you like or want, such as wanted caressing, kissing or flirting (Shaw, 2000; Hill & Silva, 2005). Nor is it a relationship that has gone bad. Sexual harassment is different from sexual assault, where violence is involved.
It isn’t easy to hide from sexual harassment because it happens all across campus to both men and women. It is instigated by students, professors and TAs, and has been reported in dorms, classrooms, and common rooms. However, with the increased use of CCTV, harassment reports have gradually decreased since the start of the 21st century (Cunningham & Benavides-Espinoza, 2008). Also keep in mind that in the past few years new laws have made it even easier to make reports.

Some tips for avoiding sexual harassment:
• Don’t wear low-cut tops and mini-skirts when you are around an alleged harasser.
• Don’t go anywhere alone with the harasser or invite him or her out.
• Don’t flirt with an alleged harasser or get involved with the harasser in sexual pranks.
• When going out, make sure someone you trust takes you home.
• Get information from your employer or from the school on their specific policies. Knowing that there is protection available can prevent harassment.

If something happens to you, telling someone—even if it is just a friend—is some of the best prevention for stopping anything from happening in the future. Before you make an informal complaint, start by telling the person who is offending you that you are uncomfortable. Include the date, place and time, your feelings about the situation and that you want the behaviour to stop. Most universities distribute materials on sexual harassment on campus, and some have created online mediums where students can learn their rights and make anonymous complaints. London residents now have access to a 24-hour support center by phone. Reportedly, counselors will accompany victims to the police or to face their harassers and free medical and legal consultations are also given. You can contact them at: 0207-837-1600.

Not all professors and academic advisors are required by law to inform the authorities if a student confides in them. When you are launching a complaint against faculty or university staff, you should go either directly to the committee or office designated for sexual harassment complaints or go to the police. Universities may want to conduct their own investigation whether or not you choose to face the perpetrator (Schwartz, 2000).
After I consulted my friends, family and some coworkers I chose not to report the gym teacher. Instead I changed schools and warned others who were posted at the school. Although many consider the experiences they went through ‘not a big deal,’ protecting others and talking about the situation can be one of your best strategies for both overcoming and preventing. 

Alicia Warren 3/7/09