What Constitutes Sexual Harassment in School?

You send your children to school with the expectation they will be safe and secure. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, as many kids are subjected to harassing and bullying behaviors. These behaviors can also be sexually suggestive, which is even more traumatizing.

Sexual harassment in schools is a very serious issue, one that requires immediate intervention by staff and faculty. However, parents are encouraged to understand the issue on their own, so they can take the proper actions to protect their kids.

How to Identify Potentially Problematic Behaviors

Sexual harassment and bullying in school settings can be subtle and hard to detect, so you must be on the lookout for the following signs:

• Sexual Comments and Jokes – Comments and jokes of a sexual nature can create an uncomfortable, unwelcoming environment within schools. The subject of the comments is likely to feel threated and alarmed by these behaviors.

• Presenting Inappropriate Content – Showing another child graphic images and pictures definitely falls into the category of harassment. Along with pictures, the harasser may also attempt to show videos or other types of content. Content might also be sent via mobile devices.

• Posting Sexually-Charged Comments on Social Media – Bad behaviors can sometimes follow children to places other than school. Even social media can provide an outlet for harassers to continue making the subject of abuse feel terrible.

• Inappropriate Touching – Groping, poking, and pinching all fall under the category of inappropriate touching. The harasser may also claim that the physical contact was an accident, even though it happens frequently.

What Parents Can Do About Sexual Harassment in School

If your child complains about any of the above behaviors, report them to staff immediately. If staff is not responsive to your requests, the next step might be to file lawsuit. Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero, P.C. can help you every step of the way, from identifying violations to holding guilty parties accountable. Our attorneys serve as fierce child advocates, as we believe no child should need to deal with abusive or harassing behaviors.

Please call 505-343-1776 to schedule a consultation in Albuquerque or contact us for more information on our legal services.