Sexual harassment and assault are types of sex discrimination. They are community problems that bleed into all our lives, regardless of whether we have children. The work ahead for K-12 gender equity advocates lies not only in policy change and Title IX compliance but in building a proactive and sustainable framework for student support and safety, establishing a durable climate of respect with mutual trust among students, staff and administrators, and a timely response to harassment complaints that embraces trauma-informed best practices.
Advocates can use their unique talents and skills in countless ways to effect change, both locally and nationally. Each time an incident of sexual harassment and assault is effectively addressed, every student benefits from the improved school climate. With education and advocacy, we can stop sexual harassment and assault in K-12 schools before they continue into college and the workplace. What talents do you bring to the movement for change?