ERIC Number: ED412047
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1996
Pages: 14
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Sexual Harassment and Experiential Education Programs: A Closer Look.
Loeffler, T. A.
Sexual harassment can be devastating and have tremendous impact on the emotional well-being, physical health, and vocational success of those who experience it. It is especially important for outdoor education program staff to proactively address sexual harassment because these programs often take place in remote locations that may make escape from a sexually harassing situation difficult or impossible; because outdoor adventure programs are often male-dominated, and intensive male bonding may create an environment that leads to violence against women; and because the power differential between outdoor adventure leaders and participants may prevent participants from objecting to or resisting sexual harassment. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission definition of sexual harassment is divided into its three parts, and examples from adventure programs are provided to illustrate each one. Proactive strategies include developing a sexual harassment policy that includes easy reporting procedures; ensuring that staff understand the policy; training staff in interrupting harassment and in using nonsexist language and teaching styles; ensuring that participants understand the policy; considering the dynamics of sexual harassment when forming groups; and providing a mechanism for communicating with someone outside of the immediate situation when in remote locations. Tables present definitions of sexual harassment, effects associated with sexual harassment trauma syndrome, and sex-related names of rock-climbing routes. Contains 20 references. (TD)
Publication Type: Guides - Non-Classroom; Information Analyses
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A