Am I Being Sexually Harassed at School? Take the Quiz

Sexual harassment is an issue that unfortunately impacts all aspects of our society, even adolescents and children in school. Here’s how to know if you’re being sexually harassed at school.

How to Know If You Are Being Sexually Harassed

1. Unwanted physical contact

Categorized under California penal code 243.4, sexual assault includes:

Any person who touches any other person’s intimate parts while that person is restrained, and the sexual contact is against the person’s will, then the perpetrator is guilty of sexual battery.
- Ex: In school, this event could take place if a student is held down by another student and the attacker begins to engage in sexual behavior.
Any person who engages in sexual contact with a person who is medically disabled or incapacitated against the medically injured person’s will is guilty of sexual battery.
- Ex: In school, an individual who is in a wheelchair is sexually assaulted by another student or a faculty member.
  Any person who engages in sexual touching when another individual is unconscious is guilty of sexual battery.

If an individual experiences any of these events on a school campus, they would be considered a victim of sexual assault.

2. Unwanted requests for dates or sexual behavior

A faculty member or fellow student consistently making requests for sexual favors or dates following multiple rejections would be considered sexual harassment. Sexual harassment includes any type of advance made without an individual’s consent.
- Ex: Another student continuously asks another party on a date despite multiple rejections.
- Ex: A professor has asked a student to engage in sexual acts.

3. Inappropriate comments repeated around you or directed at you

Sexual harassment is also considered to occur when another party continuously makes jokes or inappropriate comments about gender, sex, or other comments pertaining to sexual behaviors. If these comments are continuously said around you or directed at you, they may be considered sexual harassment. Parties who can engage in this behavior include but are not limited to teachers, faculty members, and other students.

Ex: A professor continuously makes sexist remarks during class.
Ex: A fellow student persistently comments on the way your clothing makes you look.

4. Unwanted emails, text messages, or videos of sexual nature.

Sexual harassment can persist outside of the traditional school environment. If a teacher or other student is using apps, social media sites, and other domains of communication to send an individual sexually explicit content, this can be considered sexual harassment.

Ex: A student sent a picture of his genitalia to another student without consent from the receiving party.

5. Gossiping about someone else’s personal relationship or sex life

If another student starts rumors, gossips, or speaks about another student’s sex life without their explicit consent this could be considered sexual harassment.

Ex: Another student starts to make rude remarks about your sexual life to other students or professors.

6. Unwanted staring or gestures

Sexual harassment can come in the form of staring at another individual’s breasts, buttocks, or other sexual genitalia. If another student stares at a female student’s breasts for an uncomfortable period of time for the purpose of sexual pleasure against the female student’s consent, it could be considered sexual harassment. Furthermore, if an individual makes inappropriate gestures with their fingers, hands, tongues, or any other body part that is rooted in sexual themes, it can be considered sexual harassment.

Ex: A student stares at another student’s body for a long period of time for the purpose of sexual pleasure.
Ex: A student makes a hand gesture indicating sexual behavior that another party is offended by.

7. Mooning or Flashing

Exposing genitals or other intimate body parts on school grounds could be considered sexual harassment. If one student exposes their buttocks as a joke and another student finds this scene appalling, the student who “mooned” the other student could be found guilty of sexual assault.

Ex: A female student exposes her breasts to a non-consenting party.

8. Pressure to engage in a sexual act

A student being pressured into a sexual act can be considered sexual harassment. If another student or professor places a student in a situation where the student feels no way to escape the situation except through the sexual act, the perpetrator would be guilty of sexual assault.

Ex: A professor says they will fail a student unless the student fulfills a sexual favor.

FAQS

What should I do if I am being sexually harassed at school?

Ensure that you are safe from further acts of sexual harassment. It may be in your best interest to report the perpetrator of the sexual violence.

What should I do if my sexual harasser is stalking me online?

Block the harasser on all internet platforms and pursue a restraining order. If your harasser is able to locate you through social media or other platforms it may prove beneficial to have a legal restraint on that party.

Should I report the harassment if I am uncomfortable with doing so?

The decision to report harassment is up to the victim. The upside to reporting is that a guilty verdict is more likely, and further acts of sexual harassment won’t be carried out by the perpetrator. Regardless, the victim should prioritize their own safety and mental health.

Contact Us

If your or a loved one is being sexually harassed at school, contact us. We’ll get you in touch with the most qualified attorney for your unique legal matter. Get your free consultation with one of our experienced campus sexual assault attorneys in California today!