Abstract:
This article is the result of the research on Sexual Harassment in Secondary and High School in Bangkok area. The main purposes of the study are to study the understandings and perceptions of the students on the meaning, characteristics and patterns of sexual harassment in schools and their experiences in this sexual abusive behavior in schools. Furthermore, the study also investigated the causes of sexual harassment and its mental consequences on the students. One public and one private schools within the same vicinity in Bangkok area were purposively selected for the study. About 800 questionnaires (400 each school) were randomly distributed. Statistical analysis of percentage, Pearson Chi-square, and Paired t-test at significant level of .05 and .01 was employed to analyze and compare the findings of the two schools. It is expected that the study would gather substantial information to propose appropriate policy measures in managing the problems, providing collaborative measures, and preventing as well as counter attacking this social issue. With the total return of 783questionnaires or 97.88 percents, the results are as follows: 1. In defining the term sexual harassment, both secondary school students define the term as physical violence against either male or female; while as high school students can provide better explanation of the term in more details, including verbal and non-verbal sexual harassment. 2. Asked about their understanding of this concept, students from both schools have no differences in understanding the concept of sexual harassment. They have little understanding of non-physical sexual harassment, particularly verbal and non-verbal sexual harassment. 3. On the perceptions of sexual harassment, most students consider physical sexual harassment conduct such as touching private parts, pushing, sexual assault or rape as severe and egregious conduct; while verbal sexual harassment, for example, abusive language like criticisms of their figures, appearances, dresses, and dirty talk as tolerable behaviors. 4. The main cause of sexual harassment behavior is that the harassers have experienced as the victims in the past. According to the Pathology Theory, these groups of people would have tendency to enact sexual assaults against others. The second explanation for sexual harassment is based on the Cultural Theories that the schools have no policy guidance about preventing or eliminating sexual harassment of students in schools. 5. Concerning students response to sexual harassment conduct, students would keep silence if it is verbal sexual harassment. However, for the less severe physical sexual harassment such as verbal abuse behavior, they would avoid confronting the harassers. They would also report to their teachers or parents, if sexual harassment conducts are perceived as severe and intolerable. 6. Sexual harassment is found to have effects on students performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment, and changing schools. 7. Considering schools policy on sexual harassment, sexual harassment is taught in class as part of the school curriculum. Schools also sometimes organize training session, but specifically emphasizing sexual relationship, not sexual harassment. 8. Based on the above findings, it is suggested that, among other things, the Ministry of Educations and all related educational institutions should provide systematically and comprehensively detailed policy guidance about preventing or eliminating sexual harassment of students in schools. In addition, community and parents involvement working closely with schools would help lessen the matter. Lastly, better statistical record of sexual harassment for further inquiry and research would provide sufficient supportive information on patterns and hostile environment harassment for future policy implications.