Sexual Harassment Stories and Experiences

I am now afraid to be alone with him

Janae, Australia

I have been harassed by quite a while now from a teacher at my school. I didn’t, and still don’t, really understand why I was the target. I don’t think I “look” like the kind of girl that would get this kind of attention.

Anyway this man was both my level manager and my P.E/Health teacher this year. Things started off small, so small I barely even noticed. For example I would go to leave the classroom at the end of class but he would deliberately stand in my way and I would bump into him, expecting him to move. Whenever he came up to me he would say hello and eye me up and down, often lingering at my chest.

Things started getting worse when I couldn’t do P.E anymore (I hurt my arm and had to take about 6 weeks off sport). While the rest off the class went out on a run around the school/oval I would have to help set up. While I was carrying things he used to come up behind me, put his arms around me and ‘help’ me carry whatever I was holding.

But I continued ignoring this until about 2 weeks into my injury. I was sitting down at the end of P.E class while the rest of the class was getting changed and he came and sat down and asking me questions about my arm etc etc. But he soon turned the conversation to more uncomfortable subjects, even asking me what sized cup I wore. I refused to tell him to he tried to lift up my top to see for himself so I shoved him off and ran out.

Now, I am afraid to be alone to him, so if I ever have to see him, I take a friend with me. While he hasn’t touched me again, he has deliberately opened the gymnasium change room doors while I’m undressing.

I haven’t told anyone except this site yet and I keep telling myself I will, but I don’t know…it’s just really hard, but when I find the strength one day I will tell about him

This entry was posted on Monday, July 23rd, 2007 at 12:42 pm and is filed under Sexual Harassment in Education. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

4 Responses to “I am now afraid to be alone with him”

cathy Says:
July 24th, 2007 at 7:48 am
I’m sorry to read of this. I’ve been fortunate never to have been harassed at school, only bullied–by both a girl and a boy. I thought it was something about me. It wasn’t. I found out later they were bullying other kids, too.
So I’d guess that you aren’t the only one this teacher has harassed. There are probably others. Form a trusted network and find out who they are. If there are even two or three of you, go forward and talk to your headmistress/headmaster about it. Don’t let it continue!
Neelie Says:
July 24th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
It’s hard to tell anyone. I went through something similiar with my boss. It started out slowly and then progressed. Finally he threatened me that if I didn’t have intercourse I wouldn’t have a job - as the sole support of my family I thought I had no choice. Finally I said NO MORE treat me like an employee. 6 months of still trying to get in my pants and realizing he couldn’t he fired me. It wasn’t worth keeping my job because of this freak. I am suing him in civil court now and am in counseling. The hardest thing was telling my husband. But it’s a relief now and it’s made me stronger. Don’t fear him - get angry and do something about it!
coral Says:
November 29th, 2007 at 11:04 am
I know people normally would say “i feel sorry for you” or something like that, but i find it never helps. So instead I’m going to say, maybe you should tell someone. He isn’t aloud to touch you like that and if you got him maybe on tape or something when he opens the door and tries to look at you. You could go to the principle and if he denies it you will have proof, then they will have to believe you. All i can say is i know its not right, and i hope it gets better for you.
Amber Says:
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:52 pm
i know what your going threw in a way,but not like yours totaly.
i really think you need to tell someone else not just this website.
you will feel so much better and it may help other students not to fall into this abuse.so you should tell someone.

I am now afraid to be alone with him

4 Responses to “I am now afraid to be alone with him”

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