Sexual Harassment in Early Adolescence: Findings From a Cross-Sectional Survey in Secondary Schools in England

There is little research on sexual harassment among younger adolescents or on how rates vary by gender and other student/school characteristics. Drawing on data from 50 English schools, we explored the prevalence and patterning of victimization in the past year among students aged 12-13. Of 7,060 participants, almost a tenth had experienced sexual harassment. Girls, non-binary students, and sexual-minority students reported the highest rates. Student commitment to school was associated with reduced victimization, particularly among straight students and in higher-attaining schools. Sexual harassment is a priority area for intervention, particularly for students facing the highest risk.

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Publication Details

Journal
Violence Against Women
Published
2025-10-29
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012251391136
Primary Topic
Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Sexual Harassment in Early Adolescence: Findings From a Cross-Sectional Survey in Secondary Schools in England

Neisha Sundaram, Honor Young, Alison Hadley, Ruth Ponsford et al.
Violence Against Women
Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
article

Sexual Harassment in Early Adolescence: Findings From a Cross-Sectional Survey in Secondary Schools in England

Neisha Sundaram, Honor Young, Alison Hadley, Ruth Ponsford, G. J. Meléndez‐Torres, Maria Lohan, Joanna Sturgess, Nerissa Tilouche, Rebecca Meiksin, Rona Campbell, Chris Bonell, Elizabeth Allen
article en

Abstract

There is little research on sexual harassment among younger adolescents or on how rates vary by gender and other student/school characteristics. Drawing on data from 50 English schools, we explored the prevalence and patterning of victimization in the past year among students aged 12-13. Of 7,060 participants, almost a tenth had experienced sexual harassment. Girls, non-binary students, and sexual-minority students reported the highest rates. Student commitment to school was associated with reduced victimization, particularly among straight students and in higher-attaining schools. Sexual harassment is a priority area for intervention, particularly for students facing the highest risk.

Violence Against Women
Hitotsubashi University (JP), University of London (GB), Queen's University Belfast (GB), University of Bedfordshire (GB), University of Exeter (GB), University of Bristol (GB), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (GB), Cardiff University (GB)
Openalex Percentile: Top 62%
Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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Sexual Harassment in Early Adolescence: Findings From a Cross-Sectional Survey in Secondary Schools in England — Neisha Sundaram, Honor Young, et al. · Violence Against Women (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS