Mirrors of our culture
Researcher studies how children normalize cases of sexual harassment
Only 9% of student sexual assault cases are reported.
Only 9% of student sexual assault cases are reported.
Only 9% of student sexual assault cases are reported.
It’s a statistic that urges to be sensationalized in headlines and scare parents across the country. But it isn’t shocking to Dr. Heather Hlavka, assistant professor of criminology and law studies in the department of social and cultural sciences
To be clear, Hlavka is as bothered by the statistic as anyone. However, her research explains why a statistic like this shouldn’t be shocking.
The reason — children are normalizing sexual harassment.
Hlavka analyzed forensic interviews of 100 cases of reported sexual abuse of boys and girls age 3-17. Her findings were published in the article “Normalizing Sexual Violence: Young Women Account for Harassment and Abuse.” In the interviews a theme emerged — the children accounted for the violence as if it were part of how men and women relate to one another.
This was seen in the language they used to describe the abuse and harassment.
“They were using the language of our culture to try to understand what they experienced or what they were experiencing on a daily basis,” Hlavka said.
How the children described the harassment was an indication of beliefs about gender roles. Sexual harassment can be used to maintain gender dominance and fulfill certain heterosexual scripts.
Children in turn conceive ideas of relationship roles that must be filled. This includes acts of violence from one person to the other.
Exposure to violence and harassment forces youth to rationalize it. Many reported that the acts happened on a daily basis, in a multitude of locations.
This caused them to perceive some acts of sexual violence as normal and acceptable.
During the 1970s, legal reforms were made in order to make reporting and prosecution of sexual abuse and harassment easier. However, the problem continues, something that supports Hlavka’s belief that the laws aren’t necessarily the problem.
Citizens aren’t viewing their experiences in terms of what’s legal or illegal, Hlavka notes. She believes there is a disconnect between law and what people identify as rape and harassment in their everyday lives. Stereotypical heterosexual relationships normalize gender hierarchies, and at times this includes abusive behavior.
“We already have it built up in our head to think about gender constructs,” Hlavka said. “We need to start thinking equality.”
An example of such a construct is that men are sexual aggressors — in constant search of sex. Men are often seen as “actors” in sexual relations, which puts women in the role of “gatekeepers,” meaning they must agree or disagree to have sex.
The language is one-sided — male aggression and female passivity — which creates a gender hierarchy. In reality, both parties must consent.
Phrases like “boys will be boys” present males as unable to control their sexual desires. Culture makes it appear natural for women to have to fend off male advances. Viewed in these terms, women can be blamed or held accountable for being victims of sexual violence.
Another problem stems from women policing each other. When viewed as sexual decision-makers, women are solely in charge of consenting. Culture tells them to refuse sex, which may run against their sexual desires.
Sexual reputation is important to youth. If women have sex, then they are shamed and ostracized by their peers for consenting. If women are sexually assaulted, they are blamed, disbelieved and shamed into not reporting.
Seeking to avoid this type of social derogation and isolation limits the amount of cases that are reported. Alongside that, shaming holds women accountable as gatekeepers and subordinate to males, rather than both parties having equal responsibility.
Adults exhibit these assumptions and expectations. Children are often mirroring the behaviors they see in adults.
Growing up in a culture that explains male aggression as customary, the children Hlavka studied often made excuses to justify those who sexually harassed them.
One girl reported that the perpetrator must feel “rejected.” Another stated, “that’s what he does” to justify the action. The girls often struggled to find the right words to use because it was difficult to rationalize.
Another contributing factor to underreporting of sexual abuse is that children, from a young age, are taught not to talk about sex. It is socially unacceptable for youths to discuss sexual experiences or desires. The study notes that this results from Western culture categorizing children as innocent and in need of protection from sexual knowledge.
Hlavka underscored the notion that education systems need to change and acknowledge that children and adolescents are decision-makers with desires and questions. She calls for education to begin at a younger age, although it would include more general principles.
“We’re not talking about teaching kindergarteners about sex,” Hlavka said. “I would recommend teaching all children about bodily boundaries, integrity and what consent is.”
Respect would be the emphasis of this new education paradigm. Hlavka analyzed interviews of girls as young as 3 years old who had been assaulted, leading her to realize the young children need education. She believes talking more is key, not remaining silent as if these actions aren’t happening.
“I think we should talk to our kids more and be more honest with them,” Hlavka said. “We can blame the media, but whether it changes or not, at least talk to children about what they’re seeing in culture.”
Hlavka hopes that by being more open with children and arming them with knowledge about sexual harassment will lead to greater identification and reporting.
Another change that can be made is through “micro-interactions.” Large social movements are important to raise awareness, Hlavka said, but people can have just as much of an impact in their friend groups.
Not allowing others to tell sexist jokes and being an example of sexual equality are such measures. Hlavka challenges people to consider the message their actions are sending.
“You don’t want this for your children, so why are you acting in a way that says its okay for other children or your friends?”
Hlavka’s work and this article are part of a larger study on child sexual abuse and harassment. She has studied forensic interviews of 100 girls and 100 boys to see how the genders construct their experiences differently. From the interviews she has outlined themes and barriers that are keeping these children from reporting.
Research and reporting by Wyatt Massey, a junior studying writing-intensive English and advertising. Connect with him on Twitter or LinkedIn.
