AAUW’s research report Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School has certainly captured the attention of the media. The New York Times, CNN, the Washington Post, Huffington Post, and Ms. Magazine were just a few of the outlets that mentioned Crossing the Line and the dangerously normalized culture of sexual harassment in grades 7–12. AAUW is proud to be recognized by the media as a leader in the conversation on sexual harassment time and time again.
These are just a few of the stories that our research report inspired.
The Washington Post
Report: Sexual Harassment Common in Schools
Sexual Harassment in Schools: A “Big Deal”
Huffington Post
Sexual Harassment in Schools — Studies Say It’s Real
Despicable Behavior, But Is This Harassment?
Salon
It’s More than Pulled Pigtails
Daily Kos
Jezebel
Sexual Harassment in Schools is Frighteningly Common
Forbes
Herman Cain and Sexual Harassment: Some Men Still Just Don’t Get It
But our focus isn’t only on getting media hits. We want to see real and positive changes in the lives of children. Drawing attention to Crossing the Line also encourages dialogue about solutions, which is too often neglected. Recently, NPR interns noticed AAUW’s research and called sexual harassment a “missing conversation” in schools. They found that schools’ approaches to sexual harassment was more often reactive than protective or even remedying. This omission really does foster a culture of sexual hostility in which Title IX regulations are undermined, students don’t report harassment, and harassment is treated largely with ambivalence.
Let’s continue to make clear that sexual harassment is a dangerous reality that must be taken seriously. With our voices in the news, we can ensure that the dialogue goes from “missing” to engaged and influential. What are your best ideas for creating change in how the media and the public understand sexual harassment?
This post was written by AAUW Media Relations Intern Alexandria Braboy.
AAUW Dialog 
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