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RightsED: Tackling sexual harassment activity sheet - true or false?

Tackling sexual harassment

 

Activity sheet: Sexual harassment - true or false?

 

Throughout this topic you are asked to be an expert on your school culture - to explore the issue of sexual harassment at your school.

But first, let's see what you know and think about sexual harassment.

See how you go with the quiz below.

Your answers are private and confidential and do not need to be shared with anyone. Be prepared to answer honestly and say what you believe - not what others expect you to say.

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Statement

True

False

1.

Sexual harassment is really just a form of teasing.

 

 

2.

Sending an SMS to a friend that spreads false stories about another person's sex life is OK.

 

 

3.

Sexual harassment is against the law.

 

 

4.

If a person likes the sexual attention you give them, it is not sexual harassment.

 

 

5.

If a student is being sexually harassed by an adult at school there is nothing that can be done about it.

 

 

6.

If a student is being sexually harassed at school there needs to be a witness for it to be investigated.

 

 

7.

Schools have a legal responsibility to deal with sexual harassment in the school.

 

 

8.

If a person has accepted the sexual attentions of someone in the past, they cannot complain about sexual harassment by that person in the future.

 

 

9.

A person can only complain about sexual harassment where a reasonable person would anticipate that the behaviour would make someone feel humiliated.

 

 

10.

Girls sometimes harass boys sexually.

 

 

11.

Sexual harassment has to be between people of different sexes.

 

 

12.

If a girl wears revealing clothing she cannot then complain about being sexually harassed.

 

 

13.

Writing true comments about a person in a toilet cannot be sexual harassment.

 

 

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Statement

True

False

14.

If a person is only joking and does not intend to harm or distress another person it cannot be called sexual harassment.

 

 

15.

Sexual harassment can make the person being harassed feel intimidated and humiliated.

 

 

16.

Boys are sexually harassed as often as girls are.

 

 

17.

Sexual harassment is a form of flattery.

 

 

18.

It's OK to ask a person for sex as long as you accept their answer.

 

 

19.

Sexually explicit jokes can be sexual harassment.

 

 

20.

Rude gestures are not sexual harassment, you have to actually touch or say something to another person.

 

 

21.

Teachers can be sexually harassed by students.

 

 

22.

Saying to someone 'You're a queer and I hope you get AIDS' is a form of sexual harassment.

 

 

23.

Sexual harassment is not really serious - it's just a bit of fun.

 

 

24.

Looks are OK, as long as you do not touch another person.

 

 

25.

The best way of stopping sexual harassment is to ignore it and it will go away.

 

 

 


Answer sheet: Sexual harassment - true or false?

Compare your true or false answers from the resource sheet: What is sexual harassment?

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True or False

Comments

1.

False

Sexual harassment can be very hurtful and have long-lasting effects on people. It is also against the law.

2.

False

Sexual harassment includes sending inappropriate text messages that will offend or humiliate another person even if they don't see it.

3.

True

Sexual harassment is against the law under the Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act and legislation in every Australian state and territory.

4.

True

Sexual harassment is not about mutual attraction and friendship.

5.

False

Sexual harassment by an adult at school is against the law. You can have the issue dealt with under a school policy or by making a complaint to the Commission.

6.

False

Sexual harassment does not need to be witnessed for a complaint to be made and taken seriously.

7.

True

The Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act covers sexual harassment in 'educational institutions'. This means that schools have a duty to ensure sexual harassment doesn't occur.

8.

False

Sexual harassment is any sexual attention that is unwanted. Just because someone accepted this sort of attention in the past doesn't mean that it's ok now.

9.

True

Sexual harassment occurs when it could be reasonably expected that such attention would make a person feel uncomfortable, humiliated or intimidated.

10.

True

Girls can sexually harass boys. Although this doesn't happen as often as boys harassing girls.

11.

False

Girls can sexually harass girls and boys can sexually harass boys.

12.

False

The responsibility to avoid sexual harassment is on the person doing the harassing. You cannot use the way a person dresses as an excuse for harassing them.

13.

False

Sexual harassment includes sexual comments or graffiti that offend or humiliate another person.

14.

False

Sexual harassment is based on the effect it has on the person being harassed, not the intentions of the harasser.

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True or False

Comments

15.

True

Sexual harassment can have a very serious effect on people, including humiliation and intimidation.

16.

False

Complaints received by the Commission show that 95% of people who are harassed are female.

17.

False

Sexual harassment is not about flattery. It's happens when someone 'crosses the line'.

18.

False

Depending on how it's said, requests for sex can be a form of harassment.

19.

True

Sexually explicit jokes, either told or sent by email, are a form of harassment.

20.

False

Sexual harassment is more than touching. It includes explicit gestures, comments, staring or leering and intrusive questions about a person's private life.

21.

True

Adult students can be liable for sexual harassment against their teachers.

22.

True

This could be a form of sexual harassment. However, it would be covered by laws in every Australian state and territory that protect people from homophobic behaviour.

23.

False

Sexual harassment can have serious effects on people, like making them avoid certain places and classes or drop out of school entirely. It is also against the law.

24.

False

There is no one 'right' way to deal with harassment. However, there are probably more constructive ways to deal with harassment than trying to ignore it.

25.

False

Sexual harassment includes staring or leering that makes another person feel uncomfortable and intimidated.