Harassment is a pervasive and critical problem in schools across the country. Nearly every week we read and hear stories of gun toting and bullying in school corridors, in classrooms and on buses. Americans are waking up to the fact that harassment is demoralizing and fundamentally harmful. One of the most prevalent forms of harassment is sexual harassment. According to several national studies, sexual harassment is increasing among students. One national study reports that 85% of girls and 76% of boys experience sexual harassment during their school years.

The Supreme Court has ruled that if schools fail to stop students from sexually harassing other students, they may be in violation of a federal anti-bias law and forced to pay victims. Although sexual harassment is confusing to many students and to educators as well, it is essential to understand that it is illegal and that there are serious repercussions for schools when sexual harassment occurs.

In 1998, the Commission on the Status of Women convened the Sexual Harassment in Education Task Force as a response to the recognized pervasiveness of sexual harassment in schools. The task force is a collaboration of statewide education and community groups whose long-range goal is to reduce harassment. The Task Force hopes to help educators address the problem by training them in understanding the laws, the characteristics and impact of sexual harassment, and providing them with techniques for preventing harassment in schools.

Organizations with representatives on the Task Force include: New Hampshire Department of Education, New Hampshire Association of School Administrators, New Hampshire National Education Association, New Hampshire School Counselors Association, New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Sexual Assault Support Services, New Hampshire Human Rights Commission, Primex, Department of Justice/Civil Bureau, Starting Point, Rape and Assault Support Services and Employment Practices Group. For more information about the Task Force please call Terri de Langis at the Commission on the Status of Women, 271-2660.

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