Helping Distressed or Distressing Students

University Counseling Center (UCC)

The Student Who Has Been Sexually Harassed (Assaulted)

Sexual harassment involves unwelcome and unwanted sexual attention and/or advances, requests for sexual favors, and other inappropriate verbal or physical conduct. It is often found in the context of a relationship of unequal power, rank, or status. It does not matter that the person's intention was not to harass. It is the effect that counts; as long as the conduct interferes with a student's academic/work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning environment, it is considered sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment usually is not an isolated one-time only case but a repeated pattern of behavior that may include:

Comments about one's body or clothing

Questions about one's sexual behavior

Demeaning references to one's gender

Sexually-oriented jokes

Conversations filled with innuendoes and double meanings

Displaying of sexually suggestive pictures or objects

Repeated non-reciprocated demands for dates or sex

Inappropriate and unwelcome touch

Common reactions by students who have been harassed is to doubt their perceptions, wonder if it was a joke or question whether they have brought it on themselves in some way. A student may begin to participate less in the classroom, drop or avoid classes, or even change majors.

DO:

Separate your personal biases from your professional role

Listen carefully to the student and assure the student that you understand and support him/her

Encourage the student to keep a log or find a witness

Direct the student to UR's Code of Student Conduct and to the Student Conduct officer or Student Services on their respective campus to file a complaint

Inform the student that informal discussions (or support/counseling) can begin in the Counseling Center to help clarify what further steps s/he may want to take

Maintain the student's privacy rights and share the information ONLY with appropriate persons and with the student's knowledge

DON'T:

Ignore the situation. Taking no action reinforces the student's already shaky perception that s/he has been wronged. Ignoring the issue also can have legal implications.

Overreact. Instead, listen, support, and guide the student to appropriate channels.

Take control - already feels loss of control.

Believe myths (particularly: fault the victim.)

Let feelings override victim.