My Journey Understanding Sexual Harassment and Assault

In high school, I began to notice a number of stories in the news about kids my age experiencing sexual harassment and assault. These stories got me to think about how I, especially as an Indian-American Ismaili-Muslim male, would deal with being a victim of sexual harassment and assault if I experienced it. I’ve since become passionate about reducing sexual harassment and assault and embarked on a mission to create positive change in our community.

When learning about sexual harassment, a type of discrimination based on sex, I heard disturbing first-hand accounts from students and families whose lives were shattered by sexual violence and their school’s poor response. I realized that damaging assumptions about blaming victims supports a culture of dehumanizing misogyny that justifies sexual violence in perpetrators’ minds.

As I learned more about sexual assault, I also learned that consent is central to all relationships and is an ongoing process that requires the enthusiastic and informed participation of all involved. It goes beyond simple verbal agreement and includes prompts like emotional reactions, body language, and visual signs.

I knew it was important that my peers understand the connection between consent, sexual objectification, and the alarming rate of sexual violence that begins in K-12 schools. But what could I do to help them learn this?

I came across SASH Club (Students Against Sexual Harassment), a project of Stop Sexual Assault in Schools with downloadable tools to prevent and act on sexual harassment and assault in schools and communities. Clubs can meet at school, off campus, in connection with a community organization, or virtually. The information is helpful for students who lack a trusted adult with whom they can discuss sexual harassment and assault. I especially recommend “Boundaries and Consent” and “Acquaintance Rape and Rape Myths!” on the Resources page. The website also has additional activities students can implement without a club. I also learned that a school can’t prohibit students from forming a SASH Club. It’s illegal!

We must educate ourselves and others about consent, sexual objectification, rape myths, victim-blaming, call-out sexist comments, and stand up for victims. It’s not enough that I behave respectfully. I must actively work to foster a culture that respects each person's intrinsic worth and equality. Each action we take counts!