School-based peer sexual harassment

Peer sexual harassment in schools is an often overlooked problem that contributes to a hostile school environment: one major study found that 85% of girls and 76% of boys reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment in school. This article describes the extent and impact of peer sexual harassment in schools and the responses of the victims, school personnel, and perpetrators to peer sexual harassment. It discusses and analyzes the evolution of peer sexual harassment lawsuits and the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision concerning such actions. It concludes steps that social workers and other school personnel should take to prevent or alleviate such problems.