Establishing School Policies on Sexual Harassment. Fastback 370

This position paper asserts that sexual harassment in educational settings constitutes a serious problem and is on the increase, if the number of court cases involving alleged incidents of harassment in education is any indicator. Members of the academic community appear reluctant to confront incidents of sexual harassment and develop proactive policies to eliminate sexual harassment from the schools. A historical perspective of the development of this complex social problem is outlined. In earlier times women were regarded as possessions, with little social freedom. The adoption of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 granted equal employment rights to women. Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments threatened educational institutions with the possible loss of federal funding if they did not take steps to prevent discrimination; sexual harassment being defined as a form of discrimination. The 1980 Equal Opportunity Commission guidelines reflect the Title IX definition of sexual harassment. Research on the topic shows that sexual harassment is a continuing and increasing problem in secondary and postsecondary institutions, among women primarily, but also among males. Landmark legal cases involving the issue of sexual harassment are reviewed, with suggestions on models and procedures for establishing written policies for educational institutions. Prevention program models also are discussed. (EH)