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Sexual Harassment

This lesson looks at what constitutes sexual harassment in a school environment.

Learning intentions:

  • Understand what constitutes sexual harassment
  • Identify examples of sexual harassment in the schoolyard
  • Understand sexual harassment legislation
  • Know where to go to access help and support

Digital Educator: Vanessa

  • 12-30 learners

    Class size
  • 9+

    Year Level
  • 45-50 minutes

    Course duration
  • One

    Student Handouts

    Preparing for the lesson

    Information
    Resources
    ACHPE Objectives
    UNESCO Objectives
    Safety & Wellbeing
    Sequence
    Extension
    In this Sexual Harassment lesson, students will develop their understanding of the concepts of unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature and sexual harassment.

    The lesson begins with a True/False quiz to give students a foundation of what constitutes sexual harassment. They will build on this knowledge by developing a definition before discussing the Sex Discrimination Act. Learning will be consolidated through a worksheet and scenario discussion that separates out sexual harassment from other forms of bullying and discrimination. 

    Each lesson ends with a consolidation activity, inviting students to list 1 thing they have learnt from the lesson, 1 thing they already knew, 1 piece of advice they would share with a friend, and 1 adult or organisation that would be helpful in relation to the lesson topic.  

    Facilitator Printouts

    Student Printouts

    Additional Resources

    • Kids Helpline - is a free counselling service for children and young people aged 5 years and over. You can contact them via webchat, email or on 1800 551 800, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 
    • 1800RESPECT - provides free counselling, information and support for people who have experienced sexual assault or domestic and family violence. You can call them on 1800 737 732, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
    • Youth Law Australia - is a legal service that helps children and young people with legal problems. You can get free, confidential legal information and help on their website or by emailing advice@yla.org.au  You can also call them on 1800 950 570 9am to 5pm weekdays (except public holidays). 
    AC9HP10P05: Propose strategies and actions individuals and groups can implement to challenge biases, stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination, and promote inclusion in their communities. 
    •  Analysing the implications of attitudes and behaviours such as prejudice, marginalisation, homophobia, racism, discrimination, violence and harassment on individuals and communities, and proposing countermeasures to prevent these behaviours.  


    AC9HP10P07:
    Examine how strategies, such as communicating choices, seeking, giving and denying consent, and expressing opinions and needs can support the development of respectful relationships, including sexual relationships. 
    • Reflecting on the potential impact of their own behaviour on others and the importance of taking responsibility for their own actions to ensure they do not harm others.
    Key Concept 2: Values, Rights, Culture and Sexuality
     2.1 Values and Sexuality.
    • Key idea: It is important to know one’s own values, beliefs and attitudes, how they impact on the rights of others and how to stand up for them.


    Key Concept 5: Skills for Health and Wellbeing

     5.1 Norms and Peer Influence on Behaviour.
    •  Key idea: Social and gender norms and peer influence can affect sexual decision-making and behaviour.
    • This lesson will cover scenarios that are very familiar to your students, especially those from marginalised and historically excluded communities. Try not to single out students or make an example of them and instead encourage thoughtful reflection from students as a group on how we create safety and care as a community. 
    • For some students, learning that their experiences have a name and are not ok can be challenging, and others will feel empowered. Ensure you are familiar with your reporting obligations under local legislation and your school policy and procedures.
    • Visit a legal website like Youth Law Australia, www.yla.org.au  and discuss the potential consequences for breaking these laws.
    • Students can use the Australian Human Rights Commission's 'Developing a sexual harassment policy for your school' checklist to explore and expand school policy and procedures. They can also apply this checklist to workplaces or organisations including Parliament House. 
    Ideally, you will have scope to deliver all of the lessons in your program. However we understand that many schools have limited capacity to do so. Should you find yourself having to implement part of this program, we have provided a suggested sequence of lessons within the broader skills and knowledge categories of relationship, consent, gender, and health & legal literacy. We recommend delivering at least one lesson from each category.

    1. Group Agreements & Pod Mapping should be the first lesson as per best practice.