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Sexual harassment experienced by youths is prevalent; schools very rarely intervene.

Anyone can be a harasser or a victim of harassment. Both boys and girls can be targeted in cases of sexual harassment. No one has to tolerate harassment. It must be dealt with both in schools and outside of them.

Of upper comprehensive school students, 61% of girls and 46% of boys have experienced sexual harassment at some time or repeatedly.*

70% of youths who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans gender have experienced harassment**

* Student health survey by the National Institute for Health and Welfare 2013
** Alanko 2013.

TASA-ARVOVALTUUTETTU

Thank you for answering!

You see or hear about discrimination taking place at your school. What do you do?

Please state your age and sex.

1) Leave the scene

2) I don’t say anything, so that I don’t become the next target

3) I tell those present that I do not condone what happened

4) I tell the harasser to stop

Age:

I am

Female

Male

I do not wish to answer

Sexual harassment is not the same as flirting or kidding around

It is unwelcome behaviour that creates an atmosphere of humiliation and anxiety. The following can constitute harassment:

  • rude jokes, suggestive gestures and expressions,
  • name-calling, calling someone a fag or a whore,
  • unwelcome sexually suggestive, intrusive text messages or Facebook messages,
  • unwelcome touches, invitations for sex, and harassment,
  • groping, grabbing,
  • at its worst sexual harassment may include sexual violence, e.g. attempted rape or rape

If you witness harassment:

Tell the guilty party that his/her behaviour is offensive and he/she must stop.

Side with the victim!

  • Listen to and believe a friend, who has experienced harassment. Laughing at the matter is hurtful.
  • Do not make light of the situation or blame the victim for the harassment

Be prepared to tell an adult, so that harassment can be put to an end.

If you experience harassment:

You always have the right to walk away from a situation without saying a word and without asking for permission to do so.

Learn to immediately tell the person harassing you that his/her behaviour is offensive and unwelcome, and that he/she must stop. In some instances, this is enough to put an end to harassment. Remember to never blame yourself for harassment, even if you are unable to defend yourself.

Tell an adult you trust about the harassment and demand that something be done about it.

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