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When Harassment Turns Sexual...
Tips for Parents of Elementary School-Age Children:
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Call the school immediately and meet with the principal. Let the principal know that you also want to speak to the person who was monitoring your daughter’s class in the lunchroom. (This may be a security guard, paraprofessional, assistant principal, counselor, teacher or parent aide.)
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You and your child need to tell this person what is going on and ask him to keep an eye out for the situation.
Instruct your daughter to immediately tell the adult if the situation continues.
Role-play with her what she will say and do.
Be persistent in your position that you will not tolerate this behavior and you will back her up.
Bonus Tip: Ingrain in your child that if anyone touches them where a bathing suit would be, they should immediately go to the school office and call you.
Tips for Parents of Middle/High School-Age Children
- Immediately ask for a conference with the principal.
- Work with the school counselor to teach your daughter verbal coping skills so she can ward off anyone who harasses her or gives her unwanted attention.
- She should also learn how to recognize any threatening situation.
- Stand your ground that you will not tolerate this situation.
Bonus tip: You should know your rights as a parent within your school and school district by asking to see your school district’s guidelines (available at your school, the board of education, or go online to your state’s Department of Education Web site).
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