November 11, 2011
AAUW released a new report this week called Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School, the most comprehensive, nationally representative report conducted on sexual harassment in middle and high schools in a decade. The report found that nearly half of students in grades seven through 12 experienced sexual harassment in the 2010-11 school year. Of this number, 87 percent said that being harassed had a negative physical and/or emotional effect on them.
Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School has received widespread media attention throughout the week, including recognition from the Associated Press, New York Times, Washington Post, Education Week, and Capitol Hill Blue. "Our report clearly shows that, in many instances, we are failing to provide the safe environment necessary for our children to succeed," said Lisa Maatz, AAUW director of public policy and government relations. "Children and their families are too often left to fend for themselves when kids are harassed. Congress needs to strengthen federal protection for all students, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, perceived gender identity, or religion."
