Sexual Harassment in Schools is No Laughing Matter

by Jill Morrison, Senior Counsel
National Women’s Law Center

When sexual harassment in elementary schools makes headlines, typically it is some version of this:
“For Little Children, Grown-Up Labels As Sexual Harassers.” The usual spin is that schools are going too far in labeling children “sexual harassers.” Fortunately, NWLC’s education group is on the case, and is quick to point out that while some schools are a tad overaggressive in doling out labels, such cases must not overshadow schools’ legal duty to address the very real and all too common problem of sexual harassment.

In further support of NWLC’s vigilant reminder that sexual harassment is no joke, a recent study shows that sexual harassment causes serious harm to its victims’ health. As compared to those who are bullied at school, students subjected to sexual harassment suffer more negative physical and mental health effects. The most important thing to remember about this new study for anyone who cares about children (I’m guessing that includes you) is its conclusion: the distinct health harms caused by sexual harassment mean that it shouldn’t be addressed as just as another form of bullying, but something separate and distinct.