#MeTooK12 Is Opening the Door for Students to Talk About Sexual Assault
Since the explosive reports of sexual misconduct against Harvey Weinstein, the #MeToo movement has shed light on the rampant sexual misconduct that permeates our culture. Countless women have stepped forward to accuse powerful men of sexual harassment and assault, everywhere from Hollywood to Silicon Valley to Washington, DC.
And do you know where else sexual misconduct happens? High schools. Hell, it even happens in middle schools.
Through a new offshoot of the #MeToo movement, called #MeTooK12, girls who have faced sexual harassment or assault in school are coming forward with their stories. They echo the stories we’ve been hearing from grown women for weeks, except that this time, the assault is happening in classrooms, cafeterias, and school hallways. The people being accused are classmates, teachers, and school administrators.
Often, the girls say they reported the misconduct, but there were no repercussions, which reflects research into the harassment in schools. According to the American Association of University Women, data from the U.S. Department of Education shows that 67 percent of public schools in the U.S. reported zero incidents of sexual harassment of gender-based bullying during the 2013-2014 school year. But many other reports show that sexual harassment and bullying are way more common than that—AAUW research found that more than half of girls have experienced some form of sexual harassment in school.
So, two takeaways: First: A lot of kids are experiencing sexual harassment in school. Second: They’re not being taken seriously by teachers, counselors, and school administrators—the very adults who are supposed to protect them. When schools fail to respond to allegations, they’re essentially teaching girls that sexual misconduct is OK.
https://twitter.com/sophig_the_nerd/status/948793901284052993
Because of Title IX, which outlawed sex discrimination in educational institutions that get federal funding, schools are supposed to accurately report sexual harassment and assault—it’s the law. If you want to learn more about how well schools are handling sexual misconduct where you live, check out this chart from the AAUW. If you’re concerned that allegations aren’t being handled properly in a school near you, contact your regional Title IX coordinator for help.