**Trigger Warning** Sexual Harassment??
Hey everyone,
So basically for all of this year, I've been able to put up with the people in my Diploma of Counselling course talking explicitly about sexual content. I am the only person in the entire course that is under 18 and it makes me so uncomfortable when they do this. It happens during classes, during breaks and on chat groups.
A few examples include discussing family member's or partner's genitals and their anatomy, sharing nudes they've received with each other whilst telling me not to look, making comments fueled with sexual innuendos that I don't understand and telling me "it doesn't matter, you don't want to know", graphic details about childbirth and making really derogatory comments about sexual activities and prostitution. There is also a lot of insensitivity around AOD, mental health, multiculturalism and self-harm.
I find it so hard to say something because there are only 2 more weeks left of the course and I'm worried people won't deal with this because it's almost over and I've left it too late and also just that I feel so intimidated by the others that they might just tell me to move away from the group or close my ears or something like that. I feel like my emotional safety is not being respected or considered.
Is this kind of behaviour considered sexual harassment?
Comments
@LadyMacbeth00 It sounds like those people are being really disrespectful which is certainly not something you want from people graduating with a counselling diploma!! It is really understandable that you found it difficult to speak up about it especially as you are younger than others in the class and the environment was so intimidating. It definitely doesn't sound like an emotionally safe atmosphere 😞 You can always give 1800 RESPECT a call if you want to discuss this with someone who specialises in that area over the phone anonymously.
Is this something you feel you could bring up with a teacher in the course or the Uni/TAFE?
Also, I thought 1800 RESPECT is only for people who've experienced sexual assault..?
@LadyMacbeth00sorry to hear about your experience with KHL - did they offer anything at all helpful? In hindsight KHL would probably have been a better phone line for me to suggest to you sorry about that! Although you can't control how other people behave, alerting the course coordinator sounds like the right thing to do in your situation - I hope they are helpful in their response. Here is a ReachOut info page about sexual harassment if you feel like reading some extra info about it 🙂
Hi @LadyMacbeth00,
I'm so glad that the course coordinator was helpful and supportive! I hope the talk goes well, please keep us updated on how it goes!
Hi @LadyMacbeth00,
I think it's really brave of you to speak to someone in the first place.
You took the initiative to try to change the situation and I also think that's really brave.
I guess that the bright side is that the class is over (is this right?)!
Maybe in your next class you might meet nicer people or it might be a more comfortable situation for you!
How have you been feeling about everything?
Hey @LadyMacbeth00!
I just wanted to say that I agree with @May_ because you were brave enough to bring it up so the staff are more aware and cautious about this type of behaviour which might help out someone in the future!
Hi @LadyMacbeth00,
No problem at all! We're always here to have a chat. Don't be sorry! Life gets busy sometimes! That's so good that some people apologised!
I hope that the other things that have been troubling you will improve 😞
@LadyMacbeth00 I'm so sorry you were placed in that position. Well done for speaking out and letting the course co-ordinator know.
How will you take care of yourself over the last few days of the course?
Hi @LadyMacbeth00,
I'm sorry to hear that you are in an uncomfortable position 😞
I hope the course coordinator is able to help.
Otherwise do you have any other trusted supervisors or tutors that you may be able to speak to?
