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GIRL TALK: Wanting to Help

A girl in my history class is getting sexually harassed by a boy. For example, he grabs her in inappropriate places. The other boys around make jokes about it and we are the only other girls on that side of the classroom. I told him to knock it off, but he won’t listen. If I tell the teacher, he will know it was me who tattled. Should I tell her to tell the teacher? I don't know what to do.
 
P.S. She never really does anything about it, probably because there is a
teacher in the room. I think it will keep on getting worse and other boys
might start to join in.
 
-Wanting to Help, But Doesn't Know How
 
Hey Girlie,
 
Absolutely tell a teacher. What he is doing is wrong on SO many levels. Who cares if he knows it’s you? Are you worried that you will lose his friendship or think less of you? If that is the case then you have to do some soul searching because he doesn’t seem like the kind of person that you should ever concern yourself with.

Talk to your friend, say “What he is doing is wrong and inappropriate, speak up.” If she doesn’t then I think you need to stop by your teacher’s desk once everyone leaves so it isn’t a huge production and just let her know what’s up. She’ll keep her eye out for bad behavior.

Also, remind your friend that no action is an invitation. If she continues to let him touch her without speaking out, she’s basically telling him that his behavior is ok. Remaining silent about something like this isn’t the proper way to deal.

XO, JANA 
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11/25/2008 3:46:00 PM
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