Elena Silva Students Quotations

Sexual harassment is common among today's undergraduate students, so common that it seems normal.

The primary form of harassment that we're seeing is actually non-contact: it tends to be remarks, gestures and jokes. But the fact that one-third of college students are experiencing some form of physical harassment is certainly a concern.

We have a real contradiction where students are saying, on the one hand, it's no big deal and didn't report it ... but on the other hand, they say, 'Yes, I was upset by it, yes, it made me feel bad about myself.

The results of our research are clear: Most college students encounter sexual harassment on their campus. Many, particularly young women, are embarrassed, angered, scared and disappointed in their college experience as a result. And, as a whole, college students do not have a clear or shared understanding of what to do about sexual harassment.

Students wisely see and understand that sexual harassment includes a range of behaviors that are not necessarily illegal or criminal.