Flirtatious
stare, a "compliment"
with sexual overtones, an
obscene joke, an overtly sexual
touch - such treatment, when
unwelcome and repeated, often
amounts to what can be called sexual
harassment. Although
global statistics are hard to
come by, surveys indicate that
most youth have experienced it.
Sexual harassment can be defined
as bothering someone in a sexual
way. It can be physical (such as
touching someone in a sexual
way), Verbal (such as making an
unwelcome comment about
someone's appearance). Sometimes
the harassment involves crude
propositions.
Much of the
harassment probably comes
from peers. However, in
some cases the offending
behavior has come from people
well over the age of those they
tend to harass. An article in
"Red book Magazine"
speculates that the relatively
small number of adults who are
actually convicted for sexual
offenses probably represents
only the tip of the iceberg:
Women and sometimes men were
subjected to such mistreatment
even back in the Biblical times
(Gen: 39:7 , Prov. 2:8,9,15). So
it is possible that you will
encounter sexual harassment
yourself, that is to say if you
haven't already been through
that.
Admittedly, not
all youth are distressed by
sexual harassment. Some may find
it amusing or even flattering.
How then should you react when
someone bothers you this way?
Sometimes vague response only
makes the harasser try harder.
True, someone bothering you
might not mean to offend you.
What looks like harassment may
actually be an unpolished
attempt to attract your
attention. So do not fell that
you have to resort to uncouth
behaviour yourself to hit an
unwanted advance in the butt.
Simply saying
"I don't like that kind of
talk, or keep your hand to
yourself, please" may
get your point across. Let your
No mean NO! If the situation
escalates do not handle things
alone. Try talking it over with
other mature adults. They may
have some practical suggestions
for dealing with the situation.
But then note the following:
*Never give the impression that
may be you are kind of
interested. Others will hear
about it, and the presumption
will continue. *The way you
dress can play a major role.
Rejecting sexual harassment
while at the same time wearing
provocative clothing may be
sending a mixed message. The
Bible recommends dressing with
modesty and soundness in the
mind- Timothy 2:9. *Your choice
of friends affects how you are
treated.
