among boys. And it can occur anywhere: middle and high schools, in the workplace, in the community, or on-line via social media. It is important to recognize that sexual harassment by and between youth goes beyond bullying in that it is of a sexual nature and it isn’t limited to people of the same age. Adults may sexually harass young people, though when youth BY THE CHILDREN’S COALITION FOR NORTHEAST LOUISIANA experience sexual harassment, it is most often coming from people in the same age group. Sexual harassment comes in many forms exual harassment is a broad term, Bias has provided crisis intervention and such as: sexual name calling, unwanted including many types of unwelcome prevention to victims throughout her career. touching and sexual advances, making jokes, verbal and physical sexual attention. In her current role, she provides primary comments or gestures to or about someone, It is different from sexual prevention education spreading sexual rumors (in person, by text assault. Sexual assault throughout nine parishes or online), writing sexual messages about refers to sexual contact or behavior, in Northeast Louisiana to people in public places or on social media, often physical, that occurs without individuals across the lifespan. showing someone an inappropriate sexual the consent of the victim. Sexual Her credentials include picture or video or asking someone to send harassment generally violates civil certifications as a Certified you a naked photo of themselves, pinching, laws—we have a right to work or Peer Support Specialist, Peer grabbing or pulling at someone’s clothing in learn without being harassed— Recovery Support Specialist, a purposefully sexual way, repeatedly asking but in many cases is not a criminal Mental Health First Aid someone to go out after the person has said act, while sexual assault usually Responder, and Suicide 101. no, and pressuring someone for sex or sexual refers to acts that are criminal Ms. Bias has an associate’s favors. such as rape, forcing someone to degree in Behavioral Sciences perform sexual acts or unwanted from Louisiana Delta Q: Why is it important for parents to talk sexual touching. Research shows Community College and is to their children about sexual harassment? that 87% of teenage girls and pursuing a bachelor’s degree What is a good way to start the conversation? A: Tweens and teens need to understand and 40% of teenage boys reported being the in Applied Behavioral Science. consent, respect, healthy boundaries and victim of sexual harassment. The Harvard School of Education (2017) found that only Q: What do parents and youth need to know healthy relationship characteristics as well as unhealthy ones in order to decide what’s ok a quarter of teens and young adults have about sexual harassment? ever had a conversation with their parents A: Sexual harassment can be defined for themselves and others and what is not. If about how to avoid being sexually harassed as unwelcome attention of a sexual nature, they do not receive this input from trusted, or harassing others. This means the majority occurring through verbal and/or physical reliable, responsible adults in their lives, they of young people are left to their own devices interaction. It can involve comments, gestures, may rely on inaccurate or unhealthy messages to figure out what exactly constitutes sexual actions or attention that is intended to hurt, they receive from others. This could lead to harassment—a topic so nuanced that many offend, or intimidate another person. Sexual tolerance of uncomfortable or hurtful behavior adults don’t fully understand it. harassment can be experienced at any age directed toward them from others as well as an Yolanda Bias is the Sexual Assault and it can happen to both females and males; inability to stand up for victims of harassment Prevention Specialist for The Wellspring and it happens not only between individuals of and to those who harass others. If youth adopt she has been with the agency for 3 years. Ms. opposite genders, but also among girls or unhealthy attitudes and beliefs about sexually
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