Sexual Harassment

Tweet

Sexual harassment usually isn't taken seriously or handled correctly when it is reported. When I was 14, I was harassed by a fellow student. This went on for months with no one taking me seriously. When it became physical - I finally went to the assistant principal and filed a complaint. The next day, I was questioned for 4 hours in what my school called the 'discipline office'. Despite having witnesses to what happened - I was forced to tell the story over and over again to an assistant principal, two guidance counselors, and a police officer. The police officer lectured me about how I would be ruining the boy's life, and how I could be arrested for making a false statement. During those 4 hours, I wasn't allowed to go to the restroom or eat lunch. After the repeated questioning and being asked over and over again if maybe I misunderstood something, I was so confused that I could barely answer questions straight. I just wanted to go eat lunch because I was hungry. The assistant principal said I could only leave the office if I admitted that what I'd first told them wasn't true. After another 20 minutes of questioning, I started to say fine...I will say that what I first said was a lie if you will let me leave. He asked, "So, you're saying what you told us was a lie?" I said - "Yes, if I have to say I lied to be able to go eat lunch." I would never say that I outright lied, just that I would say I lied if it meant they would let me leave. It was good enough for them. I was escorted out of the discipline office and allowed to sit in the counselor's office and eat. Then I had to endure another hour long lecture from the counselors about lying. At that point I didn't care anymore. I was just happy to have eaten lunch and been allowed to go to the bathroom! So, in the end - the boy who harassed me walked away with no punishment despite 4 witnesses.