Labels & Language
From the work that we do with young people it is clear that they are not given the labels and language to define sexual bullying. The first step is for schools to define sexual bullying in the school Anti-bullying policy and to then develop strategies to stop it. As a young woman at a school workshop in Haringey pointed out:
"I think that people need to be told clearly what is and what is not sexual intimidation, because I have never been quite sure... I think that more awareness should be raised."
We have worked with young people across the UK to develop a Code of Practice to define Sexual Bullying.
Click here to download the Code of Practice
Any bullying behavior, whether physical or non-physical, that is based on a person's sexuality or gender. It is when sexuality is used as a weapon by boys or by girls. It can be carried out to a person's face, behind their back or by use of technology.
For example:
- Using words that refer to someone's sexuality as a general put down (like calling something 'gay' to mean that it is not very good)
- Using sexual words to put someone down (like calling someone a 'slut')
- Making threats or jokes about serious and frightening subjects like rape
- Gossiping about someone's sex life - including the use of graffiti
- Touching someone in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable
- Touching parts of someone's body that they don't want to be touched
- Forcing someone to act in a sexual way
"Groping, grabbing, insults eg. swear words, stereotypical gender roles, when appearance and sexuality are demonised." Young woman, School in Haringey, London
Government Definition (DfES)
The Department for Education and Skills has defined sexual bullying in their report 'Bullying, don?t suffer in silence' C-o-ordinated by Professor Peter Smith (Goldsmiths College, University of London:
Sexual bullying impacts on both genders. Boys are also victims of girls and other boys. A case of proven sexual assault is likely to lead to the exclusion of the perpetrator. In general, sexual bullying is characterized by:
- Abusive name calling
- Looks and comments about appearance, attractiveness, emerging puberty
- Inappropriate and uninvited touching
- Sexual innuendoes and propositions
- Pornographic material, graffiti with sexual content
- In its most extreme form, sexual assault or rape
To download this report click here.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment at work is a recognized legal offence under the sex discrimination act. This act creates a clear legal framework for employes to operate within and ensures that women and men have the language, labels and laws to stop sexual harassment. The Sex Discrimination act was modified on 1 October 2005. Here is there definition of sexual harassment:
There are two types of sexual harassment
1. Unwanted conduct on the grounds of your sex:
- You must be able to show that the treatment is because you are a woman (or a man). An example of this could be if you are being bullied at work and the harasser would not treat somebody of the opposite sex in this way. The conduct does not have to be of a sexual nature for this form of harassment.
- The conduct must be done with the purpose of, or have the effect of, violating your dignity, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for you.
- Comments about the way you look which you find demeaning
- Indecent remarks
- Questions about your sex life
- Sexual demands by a member of your own or the opposite sex
- (Incidents involving touching and other physical threats are criminal offences and should also be reported to the police).
- Again, the conduct must be done with the purpose of, or have the effect of, violating your dignity, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for you.
You will also have a claim for harassment if your employer treats you less favourably because you have rejected, or submitted to, either form of harassment described above.
To find out more about this click here
Gender Equality Duty
The Gender Equality Duty will come into force on 6th April 2007 and will require all public authorities, including schools, to take action to eliminate sex discrimination and harassment and to promote equality for women and men. Schools that are working to stop sexual bullying, promote healthy relations and prevent violence against women are already focused on creating gender equality. Examples of how steps schools can take to help them achieve the Gender Equality Duty:
- Effective whole-school strategies to stop sexual bullying and promote gender equality between all students and staff
- Develop students understanding of what it means to be a young man and a young woman in PSHE and citizenship lessons that explore difference, and negotiate and break down gender stereotypes
- Work to prevent violence against women through PSHE and citizenship lessons that raise awareness and develop personal skills and collective strategies to stop it
