Platform : Sexual Harassment: ‘Usually Your Instincts Are Right’

SANDOR ROSENFIELD

Assistant principal, Santa Monica

High School

There is a distinction between “playful” behavior and sexual harassment. It may be very slight, but my feeling has always been that anything that is degrading or shows a lack of sensitivity usually falls into the realm of harassment.

You can usually determine whether harassment has been the intent of the perpetrator. I would call both of the parties into my office to discuss it. I would never take the word of one individual. What I find with students--depending on their level of maturity--is that they often do not realize the ramifications of their actions. I have yet to have a situation that I have investigated that was not resolved in a very amicable manner.

I have not seen outward physical sexual harassment here at Santa Monica High School. It’s mostly verbalization--from males 90% of the time--which can be construed as degrading or offensive.

It should be obvious to all, as it is to me, that with all of the recent publicity that has come forth on this subject, that I, as well as others, should become much more self-conscious in relationships with others.

CLARENCE KING

Sophomore, 19, Compton College

I think you engage in harmful or threatening behavior by fondling or touching someone who doesn’t know you or by making constant sexual gestures in a lustful way.

Looking back, I have behaved in a way which could be taken for harassment with a girl I met at a party. I don’t think I made her emotionally distraught, but I wouldn’t make a habit of what I did. I take a girl’s feelings more into consideration now because I am maturing and now understand women better.

TYLISA CAGLE

Freshman, 14, Santa Monica High School

If a guy is just playing around, it’s cool; but if you are telling him to stop and he continues--it’s sexual harassment.

If this was happening to me, I would tell the person to stop or tell my parents or get some advice from someone close.

School administrators blow things out of proportion and take things too far. I wouldn’t tell a school administrator if I saw someone being harassed. It’s not my responsibility. If it was one of my friends, I would advise her to tell her parents.

Some girls are afraid to speak out because they fear the guy would do something to them. There are girls who sexually harass guys; but sometimes girls are just playing. Some girls make things up just to get someone in trouble.

Sexual harassment is not a really pressing concern to me. I don’t see it happening in my environment.

VINESSA SHAW

Junior, 16, Pacific Palisades High School, Los Angeles

Sometimes a person can’t tell the difference between playful behavior and harassment; but it’s pretty obvious to me when a person is playful or serious. Usually your instincts are right. If you get a funny feeling from someone who is “playing” with you, then go with your instincts and stay away from them.

Unless a person raped you or fondled you without your consent, school administrators would probably just push it aside. They would probably say, “If it happens again, come back and tell us.”

School administrators should be able to make the determination if sexual harassment has taken place; but it’s weird because a school administrator is not really trained in that field. I would feel more comfortable telling a specific teacher at my school. The administrators are a bit distant.

I have never experienced sexual harassment myself; but if I did, I would probably tell my parents.

JERELENE D. WELLS

Principal, Dorsey High School,

Los Angeles

I haven’t confronted the sexual harassment issue in dealing with the normal types of teen-age problems. My feeling at this time is that I would want to have a lot of discussions with the students about the issue. I would go to my leadership class to get opinions from them as to what kinds of situations they would consider to be sexual harassment.

I would then select a random group of students to get the same kind of information. We could set some guidelines after I talk to the students. Many young ladies and young men are not really clear on what constitutes sexual harassment. By discussing (sexual harassment), we can raise the consciousness level of the students.