NCJ Number
221245
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2008 Pages: 100-124
Date Published
January 2008
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This exploratory intervention study examined the effectiveness of a single-sex women’s studies course in reducing sexual harassment in an at-risk high school.
Abstract
The Women’s Studies Questionnaire revealed that sexual harassment was a problem in the school. Although the majority of students involved in the intervention felt sexual harassment remained a problem in school, suspension and referral data revealed that reported incidents of sexual harassment within the school were reduced by one-third during the semester following the intervention. Through this research, it was determined that this women’s studies course was effective for at-risk high school females in this alternative school setting. The students involved in the intervention began to stand up for and support one another when faced with sexual harassment. These changes in students’ internal perceptions of control resulted from the intervention because components of the curriculum fostered a classroom climate that gave the young women a sense of empowerment they had not before experienced. Current research suggests that sexual harassment remains a persistent problem in today’s schools. This exploratory study examined the effectiveness of an intervention program designed to combat the problem of sexual harassment in an alternative high school for at-risk students. The curricular intervention used was based on research on women’s studies curricula at the university level, as well as on sexual harassment research. The intervention focused on providing students with experiences that would heighten their perceptions of the degree to which they had control over their lives. Students took part in 4 days of assertiveness training and self-defense. Appendixes A-B and references