Peer sexual harassment emerges early, highlighting need for prevention before Grade 4

Sexual harassment between peers begins as early as Grade 4 and continues throughout lower secondary school. Most of those who sexually harass others have also experienced harassment themselves. These are among the findings of a doctoral thesis in psychology by Aziz-Kaan Dönmez from the University of Gothenburg, who studied peer sexual harassment among Swedish children and adolescents in Grades 4–9. Dönmez will defend his thesis on October 2.

Sexual harassment between children and adolescents of the same age is common. Previous research shows that around half report having experienced unwanted and offensive sexualized behavior. This may take the form of sexual advances and comments, unwanted touching, or exposure to sexually explicit images. Those who have experienced sexual harassment are more likely to report anxiety, depressive symptoms and high levels of school absence.

Most of those who harass others have also been victims

The thesis shows that sexual harassment between peers is common and begins early, as early as Grade 4, continuing throughout lower secondary school. In one of the studies, pupils were followed annually from Grades 4–9. The proportion reporting some form of victimization increased from Grades 4–7 and then remained stable. Boys in the study were as likely as girls to experience sexual harassment, both in the middle and later school years.

“Those who reported sexually harassing others had often also experienced harassment themselves and witnessed others being harassed. It was therefore not possible to identify clearly distinct groups of perpetrators, victims and witnesses,” Dönmez says.

Those affected restrict their freedom of movement

The thesis also shows that children and adolescents who have experienced sexual harassment, whether online or in person, have higher levels of anxiety than those who have not. They are also more likely to restrict their freedom of movement to feel safe in their everyday lives.

Pupils who perceived their pubertal development as earlier or later than that of their peers reported more frequent victimization, while higher levels of peer social support and a more positive view of their appearance were associated with less victimization.

However, there were differences between boys and girls in the associations between online and school-based sexual harassment, anxiety and restricted freedom of movement. School-based sexual harassment was associated with higher levels of anxiety among girls, while online sexual harassment was associated with higher levels of anxiety among boys.

Interventions are needed before Grade 4

“Peer sexual harassment among children and adolescents has previously been described in a rather one-sided and simplified way, and my thesis helps provide a more nuanced picture,” Dönmez says. “School-based interventions need to be introduced before Grade 4 and take into account that boys are just as likely as girls to experience sexual harassment.”

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Lisa Lock

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Andrew Zinin

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