Sexual Harassment in our Public Schools - Protocol shouldn't be just considered Bullying.

Over the last 10 years while researching and working on sex offenders, it became apparent that parents shared their experiences when they were children 'back in the day', along with the consequences for those that committed unwanted sexual touching etc. 

Some of the parents talked about a present situation with their daughters and how concerned they were with the way the school handled it.  I researched into Canada's methodology which is fantastic.  Meeting with all involved, Guidance Counselor, Officer and School Psychologist. 

They found that having the offender work to attend weekly classes on "appropriate behaviors" (similar to DUI school), but they are one-on-one with school psychologist. 

I feel that when the child is on suspension they should be accountable to doing a research paper that would enable them to understand more.  Then they could write a letter of apology to the victim.  I just heard from a parent the other day that something happened again and it made me recollect the research I previously had read.  Fact, Canadian studies reflected that the recidivism rate for these school kids were cut and incidents decreases.  Makes sense.  No one wants to have our kids labeled as a "Sex Offender", and while I do think its a clear violation.....something needs to be carved out.

Also, I have also spoken to some teachers whom feel this has always been an issue. Why don't they get involved more??  I understand their fear of being sued because there isn't any clear policy. We need to give teachers the power to be in control when they see this sort of thing. (NOTE: This obviously doesn't mean all teachers do not react to a situation they are aware of, but it does mean that many feel they do not have the power behind them backing them up and would like clear language).

This is what I found for the definition of Sexual harassment from a big Civil Rights lawfirm and just substitute "job" for "School/Classroom":  Unwanted offensive touching. Unwanted offensive romantic attention. Offensive sexual speech. Offensive sexual conduct, gestures. Unwanted exposure to pornography. Unwanted offensive sexual texts, emails, Facebook/Twitter/myspace communications. Conditioning job benefits on sex. Being forced to have sex to keep or get your job.  

"Most of the sexual harassment we see consists of men behaving badly towards women, but sometimes towards other men. The most common form is where the harasser indicates he is attracted to the victim, but he goes too far, making her feel very uncomfortable, ignoring hints that his attention is unwanted.

Harassers often comment on the victim's body in a vulgar way, and make statements concerning sexual activity which they are hoping for. When harassment is directed at another man, often there is grabbing or slapping of private parts through pants, humping (sometimes in a way intended to get a laugh out of coworkers) and/or graphic violent sexual speech about what the harasser is going to do to the victim.

These days no harasser seems to be able to resist the temptation to text or email his victim. These messages are playing an important role in our cases: once the victim receives one, it is no longer a he-said-she-said case. There are other ways to preserve evidence.

Potential clients are coming to us with recordings of their harasser and recording of their complaints. Some forms of offensive speech are not sexual harassment, but are still illegal. An example is speech or conduct which insults women. Using slurs, such as b*tch, making frequent sexist statements, may be illegal harassment against women, even though it is not sexual. Not all offensive conduct is sexual harassment. Using offensive language, including the F word, does not always constitute sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination. You have to show that the offensive conduct was done because of your sex. If the offensive language indicates that the harasser wants to have sex with you, then it may be sexual harassment. If the harasser engages in offensive sexual speech, such as describing sex acts or body parts, it may be sexual harassment. But merely engaging in offensive non-sexual speech does not become sexual harassment, simply because the F word is used.  If you think that you might be experiencing sexual harassment at work, at school, ......."

Note, I checked with Carolyn Mederios of the Alliance for Safe Communities http://asc-ri.org/ and she is going to check for me on the State laws with Attorney General and turn over any other rocks she can to find out what is out there.  Love her dedication to the community.Where do you stand?  What can you add to the facts or what you would like to see?  Do you think you should have to move your child and turn their lives upside down because of a Bully or Sexual Harassment??  Why do we continue to make a victim fit that role?