Sexual harassment in the school environment often creates a destructive educational environment for both teachers and students. As a rule, it includes not only discrimination but also direct or indirect sexual overtones (Higham, 2018). It is considered illegal in the working environment, mostly when it occurs frequently, and leads to such results as resigning or quitting. The awareness of female teacher abuse is growing annually, and the situation is getting worse as no action is taken (Higham, 2018). However, sometimes, the claims are unreasoned, which complicates things for those who suffer from any assaults. Therefore, there is a need to find out when one may claim to be harassed.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Angela Davidson became the target of sexual harassment by teenagers, and her situation seems to have worsened when these students began to walk past her home slowly. Moreover, she started feeling anxious because the school leader ignored the problem and received a negative teacher evaluation a week later. Her case is quite complicated due to the lack of evidence and support for her claims. As a result, she can face trouble filing for assaults.
If she decides to resign and file for sexual harassment, she will need to prop it with testimony. Nevertheless, she does not have any assistant principal, but the one who oversees the students’ discipline and forgot to report Mrs. Davidson’s complaint due to her busyness. Moreover, demotion, firing, or quitting her job may eventually result in a lawsuit against a person who initially instigated it. Since she has only experienced unregistered verbal attacks and has seen her students pass by her house, she cannot get strong evidence to protect her. What is more, her complaint was reported in an oral form, while the best way for a victim to present a claim is in writing. Consultants may help Mrs. Davidson gather more valid proof and ensure the protection of her rights.
On the other hand, she should resort to her school’s harassment policy, if there is one, and report that she faced students’ misconduct. If it does not work, she may identify witnesses (other students in her class) and ask them if they could provide any testimony for her defense. In addition, her husband can give extra details because he saw the boys from her class around their possessions. Nonetheless, she may be proclaimed a troublemaker seeking attention. In other words, the victim becomes the accused, risking hostility and disrespect from their colleagues, students, and others (Higham, 2018). Women are mostly exposed to emotional damage, and if Mrs. Davidson has no other choice but to resign, she may do it if the atmosphere is too tense. Afterward, she may contact the police for the students to be spoken to since sexual harassment is a crime that should be legally punished. Otherwise, she needs to resort to the local council and demand the school inspection.
All in all, the case of Mrs. Angela Davidson is quite controversial as not enough evidence can be presented for a legal lawsuit. Since the school administration decided to neglect the incident, she may not be fully guaranteed adequate protection. Moreover, she does not own written or recorded evidence that would help her to solve the issue. However, she may seek help from the police or city council to inspect the school she works in.
Reference
Higham, L. (2018). An affective politics of sexual harassment at school in the 21st century: Schooling and sexualities twenty years later. Sex Education, 18(3), 293-306. Web.