Perceptions of sexual harassment in Swedish high schools: experiences and school-environment problems
Eva Witkowska and Ewa MenckelNational Institute for Working Life, Department of Work and Health, Stockholm, Sweden
Correspondence: Eva Witkowska, ALI-National Institute for Working Life, S-113 91 Stockholm, Sweden, tel: +468 619 69 67, fax: +468 619 68 96, Email: eva.witkowska{at}ali.se
Background: Sexual harassment in schools is recognized as a public-health problem detrimental to girls' psychosomatic health. This study examines the magnitude of sexual harassment and types of behaviours related to sexual harassment that female students are exposed to in a school environment, and their perceptions of them as problems in school. Method: A random sample of 540 female high school students, from all over Sweden, responded to an anonymous self-report mail questionnaire consisting of items related to personal experiences of different behaviours related to sexual harassment during the previous school year. Results: Sexual harassment was identified by 49% of the female students as a problem present in their schools. The most common types were verbal behaviours, such as: sexualized conversations, attractiveness rating, demeaning comments about gender, name-calling, and sexual personal comments. The most common non-verbal displays were: sexualized contact seeking and sexual looks. Behaviours in the sexual assault and teacher-to-student categories were less prevalent. In all four categories, the respondents who reported exposure to a particular behaviour were significantly more likely to identify that behaviour as a problem in their school. However, many non-exposed respondents also perceived such behaviours as problems in their school. Conclusions: Female high-school students in Sweden are exposed to a variety of inappropriate and/or unacceptable behaviours of a sexual nature, or based on sex, that may infringe their right to a supportive, respectful and safe learning environment or their dignity. Greater efforts are needed to analyse and prevent sexual harassment in schools.
Key points
- This study examines the exposure to and perception of different behaviours related to sexual harassment in Swedish high schools.
- Female students are exposed to a variety of inappropriate and/or unacceptable behaviours of a sexual nature or based on sex.
- Most of the exposed, but also many non-exposed respondents, perceive such behaviours as problems in their schools.
- Greater efforts are needed to analyse and prevent sexual harassment in schools.
Keywords: education, girls, school violence, sexual bullying, sexual harassment
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