A Guide to Avoiding Sexual Harassment in College
Sexual harassment does happen in many educational institutions. This is a serious circumstance that these institutions of higher learning vow to eliminate. According to studies conducted by the American Association for University Women (AAUW), 60% of both male and female students have experienced being sexually harassed at the college or university institutions where they study. Here are some tips that you can follow to avoid being sexually harassed.
Be aware and alert at all times
Being fully aware and alert is vital to being able to avoid sexual harassment. But before you can avoid it, you have to know what it means. Thus, it is essential to know that sexual harassment is any form of unwelcome sexual behavior. It is very relevant to have a broader perspective on sexual harassment. Just browsing the internet will be very helpful in finding out the more common forms of sexual harassment.
In the school setting, the perpetrator can involve schoolmates, friends, strangers, and even school employees (staff, teachers). You have to arm yourself against people who are causing you to become uncomfortable because of their verbal and nonverbal gestures that are sexual in nature. And more importantly, when you become a victim yourself be sure that you know who to seek advice from and where to reach them.
Pointers to avoid sexual harassment
* Know your surroundings. Being aware of the people around you and the places that surround you is vital. Just the same, it is also important that you avoid unfamiliar faces and places where your friends or acquaintances may want to bring you. School life often involves many extracurricular activities outside the school campus. Gather enough information about these activities before you decide to join them.
* Assess the manner in which you dress up. Dressing up is one factor to getting attention; it is always best to know how to dress to invite wanted attraction and not unwanted attraction.
* Sexual harassment also includes joking and teasing. When you avoid such behavior, you will surely avoid sexual harassment.
* Let people around you know how you feel about sensitive issues such as sex. Seek help especially from your school or educational institution if you think you have been sexually harassed.
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