Recently, we became aware of a teenage girl who chose to leave her school after facing sexualized comments and threats from a male student that were sent to her computer during class. The school failed to impose any meaningful consequences on the boy, leaving her feeling unsafe and unsupported.
Imagine being a young girl who has been the target of sexualized comments or threats at school. She gathers the courage to report it, trusting the system will protect her, because that’s the message we adults send to students. But instead of ensuring her safety, the school allows the boy who threatened her to remain in her classes, walking the same hallways, sharing the same spaces. What message does this send? That the uninterrupted education of the offender is more important than the teen girl’s right to learn without fear.
When schools fail to take decisive action against any student who make sexual comments or threats, they reinforce a system where teens girls are expected to endure harm rather than be protected from it. This issue isn’t just about school policy, it’s about a broader cultural problem that devalues girl’s safety and well-being in favour of “it’s just boys being boys” attitudes.
For a teen girl who has experienced threats or comments of a sexual nature, the trauma doesn’t end once the words have been spoken. The fear of encountering her harasser daily can lead to increased anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and a drop in academic performance. School should be a place where students feel safe, but when schools prioritize an offender’s right to an education over a victim’s right to security, they undermine that fundamental principle.
Research has shown that students who feel unsafe at school are more likely to disengage, skip classes, or even drop out. (1) For many girls, the message is clear: their safety is seen to be secondary to maintaining the status quo for their male peers. This erodes trust in the school system and discourages victims from coming forward in the future.
By allowing boys who make sexual threats or comments to remain in the same environment as their victims, schools send a message that such behaviour has few, if any, real consequences. This not only emboldens the offender but also signals to other students that sexual harassment is tolerated. When boundaries are not enforced, incidents can escalate, putting even more students at risk.
Schools must take a firm and proactive stance against sexual threats and harassment, ensuring that students feel safe and supported in their learning environments. When a student makes a credible sexual threat, immediate action is necessary to protect the victim. Offenders should be removed from shared spaces such as classrooms and common areas, with alternative education arrangements put in place for the offender and not the victim. This approach prioritizes the well-being of the victim, ensuring they are not the ones forced to alter their routine or education due to someone else’s harmful actions.
Clear and consistent consequences for sexual threats are essential. Schools must establish transparent policies that treat such behaviour with the seriousness it deserves. This includes appropriate disciplinary measures such as suspensions where reasonable to do so, mandatory counselling, and, where applicable, legal intervention. By enforcing these policies consistently, schools send a strong message that sexual harassment and threats will not be tolerated.
Equally important is the support system in place for for the survivor of such violence. Schools should offer counselling services, academic accommodations, and a structured action plan to ensure the victim feels safe and empowered to continue their education. A victim-centred approach helps to rebuild confidence and prevent further harm, ensuring that students affected by harassment receive the care and resources they need.
Prevention through education is a crucial component of addressing this issue. Schools must implement comprehensive programs that teach students about consent, respect, and the impact of sexual harassment. Early education on these topics, coupled with bystander intervention training, fosters a culture of accountability and respect, reducing the likelihood of harmful behaviours occurring in the first place.
Parents, caregivers, and educators have a responsibility to demand better policies. If your school allows known offenders to remain in proximity to their victims, it is crucial to speak out. Ask about Title IX protections (in the U.S.), provincial education policies (in Canada), and other legal avenues to ensure accountability. Attend school board meetings, challenge administrators, and support students who speak up. Other actions that can be taken include:
- If the school doesn’t take action then connect with the Superintendent of the school district
- Connect with the police to see if their is any criminality to such behaviour
- Connect with a lawyer to see if their is any civil action that can be taken
We understand that school administrators must exercise caution when taking corrective action against a student. Any disciplinary measures require sufficient evidence to justify their decisions. This becomes particularly challenging when there is no physical proof or eyewitness testimony, leaving the situation in a “he said, she said” stalemate. However, when there is an overwhelming amount of evidence, whether in the form of digital records, multiple corroborating statements, or clear violations of school policy, inaction is not an option. Failing to take decisive action in these cases not only undermines the safety of the affected student but also sends a troubling message that such behaviour carries no real consequences. Schools have a responsibility to act swiftly and decisively when the evidence is clear, ensuring that victims are protected and that offenders understand the gravity of their actions.
A girl’s right to learn in an environment free from fear and gender based violence is not negotiable in our opinion. When schools allow boys who make sexual comment or threats to remain in class with their victims, they are complicit in reinforcing a culture where girls’ safety is seen as an afterthought. It’s time for schools to send a different message, one that prioritizes the well-being of all students, not just those who pose a threat to others.
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