Educator-To-Student Sexual Harassment in UK and Irish Secondary Schools: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

The current study examines the way sexual harassment, a specific facet of educator sexual misconduct, is experienced by secondary school students. The qualitative component of an online survey was completed by participants aged 18+ who had attended secondary school in Ireland (n = 85) or the UK (n = 74), and who were recruited to participate via social media. Participants were asked to describe the incident of educator-student sexual harassment they experienced that had the greatest effect on them. Data were analyzed using a deductive approach to thematic analysis and coded into topic summary themes using Fitzgerald's (1995) sexual harassment victimization measure and its respective sexual harassment categories. We also produced an additional theme-the context of sexual harassment. Collectively, these findings can inform educational policies and reporting processes for educator-student sexual harassment, to ultimately support the safety and well-being of all students.

Keywords: Educator sexual misconduct; educator-to-student sexual harassment; sexual harassment; teacher-perpetrated sexual harassment.