In Loco Parentis

Using data from two major studies - one a detailed account of over 200 cases of sexual abuse of students by school personnel and the other a study of the reports of nearly 1000 secondary students' tales of peer sexual harassment - this book tackles the tough and topical problem of sexual abuse and harassment in schools. Beginning with a general discussion of social and sexual views, the authors then grapple with the nature and registers of abuse in schools - from simple verbal harassment by peers and teachers to outright physical violation. As many as four million young people a year may be sexually abused by teachers, other school personnel or peers. Three million are young women, but another one million are males. "In Loco Parentis" examines the frequency, type and impact of this problem for all involved, documenting particular incidents and examining the experiences of both students-as-victims and students-as-harassers. The authors describe the kinds of issues that emerge when sexual abuse of a student by a school employee or another student is reported, considering the role of professional staff in either encouraging or discouraging sexual abuse