‘Let’s check sexual harassment in schools’

Pg 11. Tues. April 1/08
Story Rebecca Quaicoe Duho

A United States (US) barrister on a visit to the Valley View University at Oyibi, near Accra, has stressed the need for policies to be put in place to check sexual harassment in educational institutions.
“Institutions and employers should have a written policy on sexual harassment that defines the behaviour of harassers and offers remedies to victims”.
The barrister, Mr James C. Lee, made the statement at a lecture as part of the school’s activities on ‘Preventing sexual harassment’.
He said identifying sexual harassment and knowing how to respond to it was an important step in protecting lives on campus.
Mr Lee said sexual harassment included unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature which had the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s employment or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or educational environment.
He also mentioned undesired physical contact, such as brushing someone, adding that while normally the creation of ‘hostile environment’ occurred over an extended period , a one-time occurrence, if severe, could be disturbing.
He said sexual harassment in schools also took the form where students were asked to respond sexually with the direct or indirect implication that his or her academic work would improve if they complied with the request.
Mr Lee said the person engaged in the harassing behaviour was often in a position of power, influence or authority over the individual toward whom the conduct was directed, adding that the behaviour was usually unwanted or unwelcome.
He said harassers were often respected, talented and well-liked and their behaviours could range from lewd remarks or jokes of a sexual nature to stalking and sexual assault.
He, therefore, called on the authorities of the university to bring the issue of sexual harassment to a halt by ensuring that students were adequately protected, as well as made aware of their rights.
He said “sexual harassment has no place in an educational setting devoted to the spiritual, intellectual, physical and psychological development of the people”.