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 thesis from the University of Gothenburg.
Sexual harassment between children and adolescents of the same age is common. Previous research shows that around half report having experienced unwanted and offensive sexualised behaviour. This may take the form of sexual advances and comments, unwanted touching, or being exposed to sexually explicit images. Those who have experienced sexual harassment are more likely to report anxiety, depressive symptoms and high levels of school absence.
In his doctoral thesis in psychology, Aziz-Kaan Dönmez studied peer sexual harassment among Swedish children and adolescents in Grades 4-9.
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, before continuing throughout lower secondary school. In one of the studies, pupils were followed annually from Grades 4 to 9. The proportion reporting some form of victimisation increased from Grades 4 to 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," says Aziz-Kaan Dönmez.
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 own freedom of movement in order 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 victimisation, while higher levels of peer social support and a more positive view of their own appearance were associated with less victimisation.
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," says Aziz-Kaan Dönmez. "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."
By Katarina Englund and Ulrika Lundin
