A study of sexual harassment against female students in Senior High Schools The case of Winneba

Abstract

The research was conducted to find answers to questions concerning the incidence of sexual harassment among Senior High School female students in the Effutu Municipality by examining student‟s knowledge on the forms, causes and impacts of sexual harassment among students. The objectives of the study were to examine students‟ level of knowledge about sexual harassment in schools, to assess students‟ perception about sexual harassment in educational settings and to assess the forms, causes and effects of sexual harassment on students in the school setting. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. Quota sampling was used to select a quota of 60 participants (female students) from each of the four institutions selected. Finally, in selecting the 60 participants from each school, the simple random sampling procedure, using the lottery method was used to select 20 female students from each level (Forms 1, 2 and 3) in each school for the study. Questionnaire was used to elicit responses from the respondents. It was found that sexual harassment really occurs in the Senior Secondary Schools within the Effutu Municipality. It was revealed that though students had some basic knowledge of sexual harassment most of them did not understand and could not interpret what really constitutes sexual harassment. Most of the students indicated that their source of information on sexual harassment were from friends and relatives. It was also concluded that sexual harassment has negative impacts on students output and the school‟s image. School authorities should make sure that students know what kinds of behaviours are considered sexual harassment and school authorities should model sexual harassment prevention policy with students and involve them in defining this policy with words and examples that make sense to them.