More than 80% of teenagers have experienced sexual harassment in school at least once. In this teen-centered video program students learn to recognize sexual harassment and to understand why these behaviors are harmful. They also learn how to stop harassment and where to go for help. Two young hosts and Elisabeth Schroeder, EdD, MSW (a leading teenage sexuality expert) offer concrete suggestions to victims of harassment and detail their rights under Title IX. For harassers, they emphasize that harassment can get them into trouble with their school and even the law.
Video reenactments focus on the victims of harassment and illustrate how harassment can take many forms, including physical touching and groping, verbal jokes and rumors, gay bashing, and hurtful text and online messages. Real students vividly describe the emotional consequences of being harassed and counteract the perception among many students that harassment is just a joke and no big thing.
Includes:
video, plus teacher’s resource book, student handouts and pre/post tests in digital format. DVD contains Spanish subtitles.
aWARDS
CINE Golden Eagle Award
Bronze Telly Award
Reviews
The focus of this program is on four important elements related to sexual harassment in school: what it is, its harmful effects, how to stop it, and where to get help. Two teen hosts and an expert in teen sexuality provide suggestions to victims of face-to-face and online sexual harassment. Actual teen victims are interviewed and discuss the emotional aftereffects of harassment. A few dramatized reenactments illustrate the different forms of harassment. The strength of this production is that it shows how the victims feel and explains why these behaviors are hurtful and dangerous.
—Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI
School Library Journal
This excellent production clarifies for teen viewers what constitutes sexual harassment and offers information and advice for handling and responding to difficult situations. Hosted by two teenagers, the program defines sexual harassment, explaining the differences between physical (touching, groping) and verbal (jokes, rumors, gay-bashing) incidents, including cyberbullying. Culturally diverse teens talking about their experiences, and reenactments of various harassment situations intersperse the commentary. Sometimes perpetrators or bullies say they are “just joking” or “trying to be friendly,” but the program stresses that behaviors that make you feel uncomfortable are not funny or welcoming. Identified as a sexuality expert on teen issues, Elisabeth Schroeder explains victims’ rights and offers information about seeking and finding support. Animated backgrounds transition between segments in this helpful video.
— Lucinda Whitehurst
Booklist Online
Highly Recommended The DVD’s considered for this review, all youth related programs that spotlight and confront issues that teenagers tackle on a daily basis, includes
- Confronting Sexual Harassment in School: What Every Student Needs to Know
- Understanding and Preventing Sexual Violence
- Dealing with Teen Dating Abuse: Crossing the Line
- Before you Hook Up: Dating Rights and Responsibilities
- How to Say No and Really Mean It
Each video educates students on how to prevent unhealthy interactions with others by understanding the issues at hand, along with having the power and skills to set boundaries and “just say no.” Video reenactments of teenagers coping with different sensitive situations add to the eye-opening explanations of topics concerning gender stereotypes, media safety, teen violence, sexual harassment, and peer pressure.
Consideration and careful reflection is given in revealing the stories of victims who have battled emotional anguish and misfortune from schoolmates. Narratives pertaining to teens who have struggled to get through these various life changing events are very moving. Each video smartly confronts teenage problems and gives real advice and hope on how to change the outcomes and build peer interactions that are healthy and respectful. Exceptional acting/role playing help to make each video credible and viewers will relate to the teens being portrayed as they are very recognizable and could be part of their own family.
These DVDs come with a Teacher’s Resource materials that make learning objectives clear and help to promote classroom discussions. Student activities are included in the materials which makes each DVD thought-provoking and comprehensive while allowing students the opportunity to reflect on their own peer relationships. These titles are highly recommended and should be purchased for programs and schools interested in promoting an equal and just environment for students at every level.
—Hope Marie Cook, Curriculum Center Librarian, Eastern Connecticut State University
Educational Media Reviews Online (EMRO)