Emma West

March 9, 2015
Grant
Sexual Harassment Normalization

Sexual harassment is an immense problem in our country especially for women and
children. Every day women are targeted in their workplaces, in school, and on the streets.
GirlGuiding UK has warned that experiences of sexual harassment are being just seen as a
normal aspect of being a girl. Should we have to deal with it? Alternatively should we be
teaching boys not to harass?
According to StopStreetHarrassment.org 56% of girls [have been harassed] at school by
classmates or by a school related person. In this criteria of harassment, most teachers are lenient
when it comes to punishment, because they think boys are just being boys. Where is the line
drawn between harassment and flirting? Are we properly teaching our children about sexual
education and consent? We should be creating a positive learning environment where our
children feel safe and our girls can live up to their full potential.
StopStreetHarassment.org conducted a survey for women in the United States where
65% of all women had experienced street harassment. Among the women 23% had been
sexually touched, 20% had been followed, and 9% had been forced to do something sexual. Is
cat calling really okay? Many people believe that cat calling is just a form of a compliment. Is
this a feminist issue or a social problem? Should we be asking rape victims what they were
wearing? Cat calling and sexual harassment isnt just a disturbance of peace but an invasion of
privacy that can lead to abuse.

Sexual Harassment Outline

I.

II.

III.

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VI.

Introduction
a. Startling statistics of women being harassed
b. Normalization of sexual harassment
i. Should we women deal with it?
ii. Should we educate our men?
Sexual harassment in schools
a. Teachers are not strict
i. Children believe harassment is ok (i.e just flirting)
ii. Teachers say boys are just being boys
b. Poorly educated about sex and consent
c. Create positive and safe learning environment for young girls
Sexual harassment in workplace
a. Higher ranked employees and managers asking for sexual favors
i. Jeopardizing employment or higher status if they dont perform acts
ii. Abuse of power?
b. Hostile workplacesexist jokes or remarks
c. How to speak up in your workplace if you are being harassed
Harassment on streets
a. Street Harassment Statistics
b. Cat Calling
i. Interpretation subjective- annoyed, afraid, violated
ii. People claim victims are over reacting
iii. Some believe compliment- where is line?
c. Human trafficking statistics
Rape Culture
a. Victim Blaming
i. Supporting athletes or celebrities charged with rapegirl destroyed career
ii. College student rape liars
b. Sexual Objectification
i. What was she wearing?
ii. Was she suggestive?
c. Prevention programs
i. show women how to react instead of educating men on not raping
Conclusion
a. Why sexual harassment shouldnt be a norm
b. Educate people on sexual abuse and the effects
c. Stop subjecting women to double standards