Sexual Harassment Among Students With Educational Disabilities

Abstract

This study investigated the perceptions of special education teachers about the prevalence and characteristics of sexual harassment among students identified with educational disabilities. Utah special education teachers (250) were randomly selected from the state's database. Fifty-two percent ( n = 129) of the surveys were returned. Approximately 92% of respondents reported observing incidents of student-to-student sexual harassment and sexually suggestive behaviors. Although male students were more frequently identified as harassers, similar proportions of males and females were identified as targets of sexual harassment. The most commonly reported behaviors included jokes, rumors of a sexual nature, and name-calling. When special educators observed incidents of sexual harassment, 82% intervened. When confronted, 74% of students immediately stopped their offensive behavior. Suggestions are made to assist special educators in decreasing sexual harassment by accurately identifying behaviors, intervening, and effectively responding.