
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 5, 1995                   TAG: 9503080006
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: PAULA G. WILDER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS A REAL PROBLEM

The startling findings on sexual harassment in the American Association of University Women report "How Schools Shortchange Girls" compelled the AAUW Educational Foundation to undertake further research on the extent of sexual harassment in America's schools and, more importantly, the effects of that harassment on our children.

The AAUW commissioned one of this country's most respected survey research firms, Louis Harris and Associates, to ensure that the survey's methodology would meet the highest standards. The survey was designed to provide a profile and answer many of the questions about the problem of sexual harassment in schools. In addition, the AAUW was determined to identify the impact of sexual harassment on children.

The results form a bleak picture: Four out of five students have experienced some form of sexual harassment in school. Frequently, the first incident occurs in seventh grade. However, students report incidents occurring in elementary school. And while the impact of sexual harassment is significant for all students, girls suffer greater effects than boys. The level of sexual harassment of boys, however, is surprisingly high.

For many, the analysis confirms their worst fears. For others, the results are surprising and shocking. What is clear is that sexual harassment affects girls and boys alike.

Productive learning and working environments are marked by high levels of respect. Sexual harassment actually has little, if anything, to do with sex. It is about the abuse of power and disrespect.

In 1992, the cost of sexual harassment in the workplace was estimated at more than $12 billion in lost productivity, morale, absenteeism, job turnover and litigation costs. Sexual harassment also impairs learning.

More than 120 educators, including teachers, guidance counselors, parents, student teachers, school administrators, central office administrators and a school board representative from the New River Valley, attended the Blacksburg Area Branch's third annual Educational Equity Conference: Hostile Hallways. That all those educators attended the conference on an inclement January day when school was called off is testimony of the commitment of local educators and schools to improve the learning environment for all our students.

Paula G. Wilder is a former middle and elementary school principal who lives in Blacksburg. She is chairwoman of the Virginia AAUW Initiative for Educational Equity.

by CNB