Introduction
Sexual harassment and abuse (SHA) are critical issues affecting adolescents globally. A recent study conducted in Norwegian high schools provides valuable insights into the awareness and disclosure of SHA among students, leaders, and coaches. This blog aims to help practitioners enhance their skills by implementing the outcomes of this research or encouraging further exploration.
Key Findings
The study revealed that awareness of reporting systems and support mechanisms for SHA was limited among adolescents, with only 11.4% aware of reporting systems and 34.0% aware of support mechanisms. Interestingly, while nearly all school leaders were aware of these resources, only half of the coaches shared this awareness. Disclosure rates were also low, with only 20.1% of adolescents with lifetime SHA experiences disclosing them, and girls disclosed more frequently than boys.
Implications for Practitioners
Practitioners can leverage these findings to improve their skills and enhance the support provided to students:
- Increase Awareness: Develop and implement comprehensive training programs for students, coaches, and leaders to increase awareness of SHA reporting systems and support mechanisms.
- Encourage Disclosure: Create a safe and supportive environment where students feel comfortable disclosing SHA experiences. This can be achieved through peer support programs and confidential reporting channels.
- Enhance Support Systems: Collaborate with school leaders to ensure that support mechanisms are accessible, well-publicized, and perceived as trustworthy by students.
- Engage in Further Research: Encourage practitioners to conduct further research on the barriers to disclosure and awareness of SHA resources, particularly among different student groups.
Conclusion
The study underscores the need for institutional efforts to improve information dissemination about available report and support resources and to increase their relevance for adolescents. By implementing these insights, practitioners can play a pivotal role in enhancing the safety and well-being of students in educational settings.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Sexual harassment and abuse; disclosure and awareness of report- and support resources in Norwegian sport- and non-sport high schools: a prospective exploratory study.
