Sexual harassment in early adolescence: findings from a cross-sectional survey in secondary schools in England

Melendez-Torres, G. J., Meiksin, Rebecca, Ponsford, Ruth, Tilouche, Nerissa, Sundaram, Neisha, Sturgess, Joanna, Allen, Elizabeth, Lohan, Maria, Young, Honor ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0664-4002, Hadley, Alison, Campbell, Rona and Bonell, Chris 2025. Sexual harassment in early adolescence: findings from a cross-sectional survey in secondary schools in England. Violence Against Women 10.1177/10778012251391136

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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 prevalence and patterning of victimisation in the past year among students aged 12-13. Of 7,060 participants, almost a tenth had experienced sexual harassment. Girls, non-binary and sexual-minority students reported the highest rates. Student commitment to school was associated with reduced victimisation, particularly among straight students and in higher-attaining schools. Sexual harassment is a priority area for intervention particularly for students facing the highest risk.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Schools > Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education) Research Institutes & Centres > Centre For Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer)
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
ISSN:	1077-8012
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	17 October 2025
Date of Acceptance:	10 October 2025
Last Modified:	11 Nov 2025 14:29
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/181733

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