Discusses seven categories of hate crime and focuses on problems affecting K-12 and higher education. Wise school and university officials head off trouble before it happens. They realize that assuring young people's success in a diverse, challenging society requires comprehensive educational experiences to build tolerance and understanding of…

Discusses two recent court decisions--"Urofsky v. Gilmore" and "Bonnell v. Lorenzo"--that concern the role of faculty within the university. Concludes that as the law now stands, faculty have no special First Amendment right to academic freedom. (Contains 93 references.) (Author/MLF)

Investigated the effects of educational intervention upon perceptions of sexual harassment. Results from 96 subjects reveal that educational intervention impacted perception of sexual harassment, with literature interventions showing superiority over video. Gender differences in sensitivity to sexual harassment in favor of females prior to…

A British Columbia high school student filed a complaint claiming the school board failed to protect him from homophobic harassment by students. The tribunal found the school liable because it was responsible for providing an educational environment free from harassment. However, the tribunal did not show that the board's breach of duty caused the…

Discusses gender issues in U.S. schools, focusing on gender equity at the college level; harassment as a barrier to equity; gender equity at the K-12 level; and what can be done (e.g., interpreting state content standards through a feminist reform perspective, addressing the importance of classroom community and the tendency of many educators to…

Of the 65 North Carolina school superintendents surveyed, 25 indicated they had been an administrator in a school system where a coach had been disciplined for an improper relationship with a student. Guidelines are given to help school systems fulfill their legal obligation to protect students from sexual harassment. (IAH)

A college or university is ethically bound to create an institutional framework in which sexually harassing behavior is defined, the institution's attitude toward such behavior is announced, a process for bringing complaints is created, and the range of sanctions made clear. (MLW)

Addresses questions companies face in employing interns: (1) Do you have to pay wages to interns? (2) Are interns eligible for workers' compensation benefits? (3) Are students eligible for unemployment compensation at end of internship? (4) Do equal employment opportunity laws apply? (5) Are you liable if an intern experiences sexual, racial, or…

Recent court cases on sexual harassment, and the outcomes, were reviewed in terms of how the court viewed a "reasonable" woman. Rulings in such cases can vary because of different interpretations of the "reasonable" concept. Also discusses how recent rulings will affect sexual harassment policymakers in the workplace and educational institutions.…

The authors' review of scientific studies on sexual coercion leads to their conclusions that many such studies lack rigor, reflect experimenter bias, and provide almost no insight into causal mechanisms of coercive behaviors. In the politicized area of women's studies, social expression is valued beyond scientific progress. (SLD)

A male student in a California State University-Sacramento psychology lecture on female masturbation has filed a sexual harassment complaint, claiming the lecture violated institutional policy by creating an intimidating, hostile, and offensive learning environment. He felt the lecture was inappropriately graphic and political in intent. (MSE)

Considers how high school students perceive incidents of possible sexual harassment toward students and how they define sexual harassment. Scenario evaluations by 35 male and 38 female students of various ethnic groups demonstrated that type of harassment, status of the originator, and gender composition of the dyad affect severity ratings. (SLD)

Considers sexual harassment from the perspective of abuse of power, and discusses the possibility of having power within a situation that automatically and nonconsciously triggers a sexuality schema, just as racial or gender features automatically trigger stereotypes of that group. The possible origins of the automatic power/sex linkage and its…

The first article outlines principles for developing communication strategies and training programs to prevent and respond to sexual harassment on college/university campuses. Additional brief articles cover policy development, the University of Florida sexual harassment policy, policy for faculty conduct, and dealing with a sexual harassment…

A survey of Oregon dentists (n=248) and dental hygienists (n=235) investigated frequency of patient-initiated sexual advances and methods of dealing with them. Up to 44 percent experienced 1 or more patient verbal advances, and 23 percent experienced physical advances during a 5-year period. Inclusion of related issues in professional curricula is…