A Florida study found that about only four in ten students at Hillsborough County’s middle and high schools know how to report sexual harassment. This finding is in spite of a 2011 federal agreement that was intended to make sure kids knew the proper ways to report sexually inappropriate behavior.
At Blake High School in Hillsborough County, FL l, a security guard was fired after he allegedly had sex with a student. However, only 27% of students at that school understand how to report such illegal and unethical behaviors. In contrast, the responses to other questions were generally positive. For example, 83% of students surveyed agreed “I can get help if I need it.”
Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, sexual harassment is prohibited at federally funded schools. Surveying students on whether they know their rights under Title 9 is one of many requirements the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights detailed in a resolution the district signed in 2011.
Reporting sexual harassment in your workplace
Unfortunately, as time goes on, adults are also still unsure about how to combat against sexual harassment, especially at work. Workplace sexual harassment in New York City is prevalent, yet much inappropriate behavior gets swept under the rug because employees are often uneducated or undereducated on how to report it. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects workers in New York and across the nation from gender discrimination and sexual harassment — and gives them the opportunity to pursue legal remedies if subjected to inappropriate conduct at work.
The New York City sexual harassment attorneys at the Derek Smith Law Group want you to know you have legal rights and protections. If you have been sexually harassed at work, report it to your supervisor or Human Resources representation. If they do not take adequate measures to end the harassment, you may be able to file a charge with the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission or a lawsuit in court.
The attorneys at the Derek Smith Law Group, PLLC handle a multitude of cases that involve sexual harassment in Manhattan and the greater New York City area. For further information, please feel free to call us at 800-807-2209 for a free consultation or email at dtslaws@msn.com.
