Sexual Harassment in High School

Abstract

This study presents results of a survey that asked current university students to recall instances of sexual harassment by high school teachers. Although most respondents did not think that sexual harassment by teachers was frequent or serious in their high schools, half cited examples of such incidents involving other students. Approximately 6% of the respondents reported having personally experienced sexually inappropriate attention from high school teachers. In addition, over one third noted that they knew of a sexual relationship between a high school student and a teacher. In these cases, the majority of the respondents thought the student and the teacher were equally interested in the affair. This finding, in conjunction with other responses, provided evidence that students often disclaimed instances of sexual harassment in high school.