Recent studies show that middle and high school students in the U.S. regularly face sexual harassment. Verbal sexual harassment in the form of sexual comments, gestures or jokes is common.

Many teenagers report peers brushing up against them in a sexual manner or grabbing and pinching them. The bottom line is that they need to learn more about what counts as sexual harassment and how to deal with it from their parents and educational institutions.

Define sexual harassment

The first step when teaching teenagers about sexual harassment is to define it. Many teenagers seem a little desensitized to it and may not even realize they’re a perpetrator or a victim.

Educating them often starts with having open discussions about various forms of sexual harassment. There could be a discussion about the fact that sexual harassment isn’t only verbal or physical and can even include gestures intended to hurt or intimidate. Another discussion could be about the use of technology for sexual harassment, including requesting “nudes” from someone or sharing inappropriate videos.

Teenagers need to understand that any interaction online or in-person that makes them feel unsafe should be reported to a trusted adult who can take it further. A consultation with one of the experienced sexual harassment lawyers from USAttorneys.com will provide advice on the right steps to take.

Discuss gray areas

Many teenagers don’t like to admit that they don’t really know much about what counts as sexual harassment. Romantic relationships can be difficult for them, and as they start to explore them, they may find it difficult to distinguish between what’s acceptable behavior from a partner and what isn’t.

Discussions about the difference between liking someone and loving them and what happens if someone doesn’t reciprocate their feelings could be enlightening for them. When is flirting welcome, and when does it turn into something more? Discussions should include when it’s important for them to be assertive and establish strong personal boundaries.

Encourage them to speak up

When sexual comments are dismissed as being locker room talk or jokes, teenagers may internalize that they are not that big a deal. They become desensitized to the harmful psychological damage sexual comments can cause.

Sexual harassment should not be something teenagers just learn to tolerate. If they tell their classmates to stop when their behavior is offensive and inappropriate instead of just standing by, it offers some hope of educational institutions being safe places in which to learn.

Encouraging them to speak up may involve making a concerted effort to create the right environment for them to do so. This means clearly defining and explaining behavior expectations and consistently imposing consequences for not meeting them. Staff may also need some training in how to deal with sexual harassment, so students don’t feel that they’re turning a deaf ear or ignoring a situation.

Have no judgment conversations

Teenagers are notoriously averse to being judged and given lectures. Education about sexual harassment will involve making it clear that the door is always open for non-judgmental conversations.

Only then will they be willing to discuss their personal experiences or what they have heard from the media or their friends. They should never feel they’re in danger of punishment when they share information.

Get the parents involved

Parental involvement is important as educating them about sexual harassment, and its harmful effects will also help them to identify it and respond appropriately. The parents of perpetrators and victims must be informed so they can address their teenagers’ emotional and development needs. Family involvement and counseling may be necessary to modify inappropriate behavior or deal with emotional damage.