EXTENT OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT EXPERIENCED BY STUDENTS, AND

THEIR COPING STRATEGY: BASIS FOR PROGRAM INTERVENTION

RHINNALYN P. PRADAS

SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE

EDUCATION, SULTAN KUDARAT STATE UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL
FULFILLMENT OFTHE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
DEGREE OF

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CRIMINOLOGY

MAY 2022
 EXTENT OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT EXPERIENCED BY STUDENTS AND
THEIR COPING STRATEGY: BASIS FOR PROGRAM INTERVENTION

Introduction
Sexual harassment knows no bound it occurs even in a least expected
places, but efforts through law determined to end it. Sexual harassment refers to
persistent, unsolicited, and unwelcome sexual advances, which might be in the
form of visual, physical, verbal, as well as non-verbal, and is seen as one of the
factors identified as major stressors that constitute a threat to the performance of
an individual in organizations or academic institutions.
This study is significant to serve as a voice of those victims and an eye-
opener to the university, other academic institution and other government
agencies to make a possible intervention and map out strategic policies towards
cracking the unhealthy circumstances of sexual harassment among college
students. This will help guide them to build student support for understanding and
reporting abuse, and foster students’ safety through establishing and enforcing
preventative policies and procedures in school settings to help mitigate and
prevent occurrence of sexual harassment.

INPUT OUTPUT
Sexual Harassment PSYCHOLOGICAL
Experienced by EFFECTS ON
Students; STUDENTS WELL Basis for
BEING
 Verbal Intervention
harassment COPING STRATEGY
OF VICTIM
Program
 Physical
Harassment
 Adaptive coping
 Visual
 Mal-adaptive
harassment
coping

DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

 Age
 Gender
 Religion
 Number of
Siblings;and
 Occupation of Parents

Figure 1. Conceptual Framework of the Study

Statement of the Problem
This study generally aims to determine the sexual harassment
experienced by students and their coping strategy basis for program intervention.
Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions;
1. What is the socio-demographic profile of the respondents in terms of;
1.1 Age;
1.2 Gender;
1.3 Religion;
1.4 Number of Siblings;and
1.5 Occupation of Parents?
2. What is the extent of sexual harassment experienced by students in terms
of ;
2.1. Verbal Harassment;
2.2. Physical Harassment; and
2.3. Visual Harassment?
3. What is the effects of sexual harassment experienced by the respondent
on their psychological well-being?
4. What is the extent of students’ coping strategies in terms of ;
4.1. Adaptive coping; and
4. 2. Maladaptive coping?
5. In what particular place inside and outside of educational institution does
sexual harassment mostly committed among respondents?
6. Who is the common perpetrator of sexual harassment among students?
6.1 General classes
6.2 Gender orientation
7. Is there a significant relationship between the extent of the sexual
harassment experienced and the extent of effects of sexual harassment
on the respondents’ psychological well-being?

Hypothesis:
Ho : There is no significant relationship between the extent of the sexual
harassment experienced and the extent of effects of sexual harassment on the
respondents’ psychological well-being

Scope and Limitation of the Study

This research study was limited only to the Criminology students who
were officially enrolled during second semester S.Y. 2021-2022 as the
respondents of the study using total enumeration.
 Review of Related Literature
Sexual harassment occurs when people are targets of unwanted sexual
comments, gestures, or actions because of their actual or perceived gender,
gender expression, or sexual orientation. It may occur on the workplace, public
transportation, and in other public places, in educational and athletic settings, in
homes, at social gatherings, and in online groups. It may be conveyed in many
ways including face-to-face interactions; via phone, text, social media, or e-mail;
through the display of materials or objects; or by tampering with personal
territories and belongings (Burn, 2019).
Parrot and Bechofer identified factors that put both students, and staff at
risk of being sexually harassed in school settings. These include university
community social structure, alcohol and substance abuse, absence and
ineffective implementation of policy on sexual harassment, and failure of victims
to report the incidence (Oni, 2019). Sexual harassment anywhere – at work, at
school, on the street, etc. – is not just about sex. It is about the harasser being
hostile toward the victim or abusing power over the victim because of the victim’s
gender.
Sexual harassment can consist of repeated or singular acts that cause the
victim(s) to feel uncomfortable and unsafe. It can be verbal, visual, and/or
physical (Nelson, 2014). Both harassers and victims were sometimes lack of
knowledge and awareness that simple teasing or offhand remarks can constitute
sexual harassment which can be offensive, inappropriate, and insulting (Barnet,
2019) .Physical gestures such as punching or playful shoving can be an
acceptable level of behavior between friends. However, the same behavior can
be defined as harassment if the person on the receiving end is offended or feels
threatened or uncomfortable (Hills, 2022). Obscene gesture is a behavior that
was used against a person which make them feel degraded and threatened. This
is a part of a pattern of offensive behavior that can be used to silently harass
someone without witnesses which can make the victims suffer from
psychological and emotional harm (Armstrong & Morton, 2022)
When sexual harassment diminishes, dehumanizes, and disempowers its
targets, emotional and physical stress and stress-related mental and physical
illnesses, including post-traumatic stress disorder, may result (Buchanan, Settles,
Wu, & Hayashino, 2018; Chan, Lam, Chow, & Cheung, 2008; Friborg et al.,
2017; Larsen & Fitzgerald, 2011).
The trauma of sexual harassment and sexual assault does not end when
the abuse ends. Even after their bodies heal, many survivors live with emotional
wounds that impact their self-image, their physical health, and their relationships.
Navigating even the most mundane aspects of life can prove challenging for
survivors of sexual violence. To go on, survivors employ coping strategies in an
attempt to minimize the influence of the traumatic event. The driving force of
these strategies is self-preservation. While some coping mechanisms
compromise survivors’ well-being, other behaviors move them along the path of
healing (Williams, 2016). Shame is an intensely painful feeling or experience of
believing one is flawed and therefore unworthy of acceptance and belonging.
This strong emotion can lead survivors to feel trapped, powerless, and isolated
(Brown, 2016).
A coping strategy, is behavior that someone engages in to try and insulate
or protect themselves from psychological damage resulting from a problem in life.
Coping mechanisms can be ‘good’ or ‘bad’ which mental professionals refers to
behaviors as adaptive and maladaptive. (Scarduzio & Sheff., 2018). Emotional
support can help victims to accept and deal with their difficulties or illness
(Wirkus, 2021). National Study on Sexual Harassment and Assault shows that
verbal sexual harassment is the most common sexual harassment exprienced by
students, as reported by 77% of women and 34% of men (Virginia, 2018).
Most of the college students were experiencing sexual harassment in
public transportation were they encounters different kinds of harassment which is
demeaning and threatening (Agrawal, 2020).
Republic Act of 7877 otherwise known as Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of
1995. An act declaring sexual harassment unlawful in the employment, education
or training environment and for other purposes. Republic Act No. 11313 or
otherwise known as Safe Space Act, an act defining gender-based sexual
harassment in streets, public spaces, online, workplaces, and educational or
training institutions, providing protective measures and prescribing penalties
thereof.
Section4, Article 1, Gender-based Streets and Public Spaces Sexual
Harassment includes catcalling, wolf-whistling, unwanted invitations,
misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic, and sexist slurs, persistent uninvited
comments or gestures on a person’s appearance, relentless requests for
personal details, statement of sexual comments and suggestions, public
masturbation or flashing of private parts, groping, or any advances, whether
verbal or physical, that is unwanted and has threatened one’s sense of personal
space and physical safety, and committed in public spaces such as alleys, roads,
sidewalks and parks. The law covers these acts when performed in buildings,
schools, churches, restaurants, malls, public washrooms, bars, internet shops,
public markets, transportation terminals, or public utility vehicles (PCW, 2018).
These law mandate that the employer or the head of the work-related,
educational or training environment or institution must provide the procedures for
the resolution, settlement, or prosecution of acts of sexual harassment. The
employer must create a committee on decorum and investigation of cases of
sexual harassment.
 Research Methodology
This study used a descriptive research design through correlation technique
with 145 Criminology Students officially enrolled S.Y. 2021-2022 at Sultan
Kudarat State University, ACCESS and a sample was taken from different year
level as respondents who purposively selected. Data were personally gathered
through questionnaire. Questionnaire was adapted from a standardized
questionnaire of Nain Stein Survey Questionnaire on Sexual Harassment in
Schools (2001) as the main data gathering instrument which then slightly
modified to fit the need of the study. Five-likert Scale and Ranking scale was
used in the questionnaire. The researcher explained the purpose and objectives
of the study to the respondent as well as the content stated in the questionnaire.
Result of the study was tabulated and interpreted using Frequency Count and
Distribution, Mean, Standard Deviation, Pearson Correlational Coefficient,
Ranking weighted calculation by Asha Cawla and Edifo, as statistical treatment.
The mean rating was interpreted by using the scales below based from the
work of Pimentel (2019).
Range of Mean Description Interpretation

4.21-5.00 To a very high extent This purports that items

concerning sexual harassment
were always experienced by
respondents.
3.41-4.20 To a high extent This purports that items
concerning sexual harassment
were oftentimes experienced
by respondents.
2. 61- 3.40 To a moderately extent This purports that items
concerning sexual harassment
were sometimes experienced
by respondents.
1.81-2.60 To a less extent This purports that items
concerning sexual harassment
were seldom experienced by
respondents.
1.00-1.80 To a least extent This purpots that items
concerning sexual harassment
were seldom experienced by
respondents.
 Results and Discussion
Demographic Profile

22-24 years old

14% 16-18 years old 14%
28% 30%
19-21 Islam
years Roman
old Catholic
57% 57% Others

16-18 years old 19-21 years old

Figure 2.22-24
Ageyears old(n=145)
Profile Figure 4. Religion Profile (n=145)

LGB 1-3
TQ Mal sib-
14% e 7 above
25% 10% lings
39%

Male 1-3 siblings

Female 4-6 siblings
LGBTQ 4-6 7 above
Female sib-
61% lings
51%

Figure 3. Gender Orientation Profile Figure 5. Sibling Profile of the Respondents

(n=145)(n=145

House
Teache
Others wife r Housewife
32% 20% 7% Teacher
Farmers
Farmers Others
41%

Figure 6. Occupational Profile of the Parents of

Respondents

The result signifies that females are more likely to experience greater forms
of sexual harassment compared to men and most of them were aged 19-21
years old but this does not mean that male and other individual with different
gender orientation spared from harassment. Mostly are from a large number of
family with a low socio-economic status.
Table 2.1 Extent of Sexual Harassment Experienced by Students in terms of
Verbal Harassment.
Indicator Mean Standard Description
Deviation
1. Inappropriate jokes, remarks, teasing, or
asks sexually related questions. 3.83 0.97 To a high extent
2. Someone uttered abusive language,
cursing, taunting and offensive name-calling 3.21 1.03 To a moderate
and cat-calling at you. extent
3. Gossiping and spreading lies related to 3.69 1.10 To a high extent
your sexual conduct.
4. Negatively commenting on your personal
appearance, clothes, body, or personal 3.21 1.12 To a moderate
behavior. extent
5. Making inappropriate sounds at you such
as kissing sounds, whistling, smacking lips, 3.14 1.17 To a moderate
or moaning. extent
Overall 3.41 0.65 To a high extent
Presented in table 2.1 is the respondent’s extent of experience with verbal
sexual harassment. In general, the respondents experienced verbal sexual
harassment to a moderately extent with an overall mean of 3.41. Moreover, it
appears that among the indicators, the respondent experienced inappropriate
jokes, remarks, teasing, or asks sexually related questions the most with the
highest calculated mean of 3.83. On the other hand, inappropriate sounds such
as kissing sounds, wolf-whistling, smacking lips, or moaning made by perpetrator
appears to be experienced the least by the respondent with the lowest obtained
mean of 3.14.
The standard deviation obtained every indicator suggests varied
responses from the students. This implies that respondents may not totally have
similar extent of sexual harassment experienced as implied by the minimal
values computed. In general, the overall standard deviation of 0.65 implies a
tolerable variation of the general ratings given by the respondent.
The result of the study was supported by Barnet (2019), which implies that
both harassers and victims were sometimes lack of knowledge and awareness
that simple teasing or offhand remarks can constitute sexual harassment which
can be offensive, inappropriate, and insulting .
Table 2.2 Extent of Sexual Harassment Experienced by Students in terms of
Physical Harassment
Indicator Mean SD Description
1. Touching your body, breast, hips, waist, 3.22 1.22 To a moderate extent
shoulder, and nape of the neck with a lewd
design.
2. Deliberately brushing or rubbing any part 3.19 1.24 To a moderate extent
of your body with malice/lewd design.
3. Kissing or hugging you inappropriately or 2.91 1.25 To a moderate extent
with malice/ lewd design.
4. Invading your personal space in a sexual 2.68 1.10 To a moderate extent
way e.g. blocking your movements and
way.
5. Making an intimidating gesture and 3.23 1.31 To a moderate extent
action with physical contact.
Overall 3.05 0.80 To a moderate
extent
Presented in table 2.2 is the respondent’s extent of physical
harassment experienced by students. In general, the respondents experienced
physical harassment to a moderate extent with an overall mean of 3.05.
Moreover, it appears that among indicators, the respondents experienced
intimidating gesture and action with physical contact the most with the highest
mean of 3.23. On the other hand, Invading personal space in a sexual way e.g.
blocking movements and way appears to be experienced the least by the
respondent with the lowest obtained mean of 3.19.

The standard deviation obtained in each indicator suggests varied

responses from the students. This implies that respondents may not totally have
similar level of sexual harassment experienced however this is considered to be
alarming, if not given intervention a possible increase to a serious degree of
physical harassment might occur in institutional environment. In general, the
overall standard deviation of 0.80implies a tolerable variation of the general
ratings given by the respondents.

The result of the study was supported by Hills (2022), which she implies
that sometimes physical gestures such as punching or playful shoving can be an
acceptable level of behavior between friends. However, the same behavior can
be defined as harassment if the person on the receiving end is offended or feels
threatened or uncomfortable.
Table 2.3 Extent of Sexual Harassment Experienced by Students in terms of
Visual Harassment.
Indicator Mean SD Description
1. Exposing their private parts in front of 2.07 1.14 To a less extent
you.
2. Sending you sexual images, or videos 2.32 1.06 To a less extent
with malice or lewd design.
3. Intrusive gazing/ staring at your body 3.30 1.25 To a moderate
offensively with malice or lewd design. extent
4. Exposing your offensive pictures or 2.37 1.06 To a less extent
images without your consent.
5. Sending nasty messages or content 2.75 1.29 To a moderate extent
from a group chat and a book.
6. Showing you an obscene gesture/
actions made using the lips, tongue, or
other parts (e.g. winking, throwing 3.33 1.38 To a moderate extent
kisses, and licking lips) that ridicule on
the basis of sex gender or sexual
orientation.
Overall 2.69 0.76 To a moderate extent

Presented in table 4.1 are the respondent’s victims’ coping

strategies in terms of adaptive. In general, respondents used adaptive coping
strategy sometimes with overall mean of 2.79. Moreover, respondents used
sought emotional support the most with the highest mean of 3.23. On the other
hand, Sought justice used the least by the respondent as coping strategy from
sexual harassment experienced with the lowest obtained mean of 2.12.
The standard deviation obtained in each indicator suggests varied
responses from the students. This implies that respondents may not totally have
similar level of sexual harassment experienced however this could be alarming, if
not given intervention a possible increase to a serious degree of visual
harassment might occur in institutional environment. In general, the overall
standard deviation of 0.74 implies a tolerable variation of the general ratings
given by the respondents.

The result of the study was supported by Armstrong & Morton (2022),
which implies that obscene gesture is a behavior that was used against a person
which make them feel degraded and threatened. This is a part of a pattern of
offensive behavior that can be used to silently harass someone without
witnesses which can make the victims suffer from psychological and emotional
harm.

Table 2.4 Summary of Responses on the Extent of Sexual Harassment

Experienced by Students.
Types of Sexual Harassment Mean Standard Description
Deviation
(SD)
Verbal Harassment 3.41 0.65 To a high extent
Physical Harassment 3.05 0.80 To a moderate extent
Visual Harassment 2.69 0.76 To a moderate extent
Grand Mean 3.05 0.08 To a moderate extent
As shown in Table 2 students experienced Verbal Harassment to a “high
extent” while moderately experienced Physical and Visual Harassment. Result of
the data implies that students are highly got a chance to experienced verbal
harassment in their daily lives.

Results coincide with the 2018, National Study on Sexual Harassment

and Assault shows that verbal sexual harassment is the most common sexual
harassment experienced by students, as reported by 77% of women and 34% of
men (Virginia, 2018).

Table 3. Effects of Sexual Harassment experienced by students to their

Psychological well-being.
Indicator Mean Standard Description
Deviation (SD)
1. Stress 3.75 1.06 To a high extent

2. Anxiety 2.83 1.16 To a moderate extent

3. Depression 3.32 1.05 To a moderate extent
4. Feeling of Shame 3.81 1.00 To a high extent
5. Feeling of Fear 3.76 1.04 To a high extent
6. Stereotype 2.81 1.32 To a moderate extent
Overall 3.38 0.68 To a moderate extent
 Presented in table 3 is the respondent’s level of experience with sexual
harassment psychological effects. In general, respondents experienced the
effects of harassment on their psychological well-being to a moderate extent with
overall mean of 3.38. Moreover, shame appears to be experienced the most by
the respondents with the highest mean of 3.75 and described as to a high extent.
On the other hand, respondents experienced stereotype to the least with the
lowest obtained mean of 2.81.
The standard deviation obtained in each indicator suggests varied
responses from the students. This implies that respondents may not totally have
similar level of effects of sexual harassment experienced on their psychological
well-being however this is considered to be alarming, if not given intervention a
possible increase to a serious degree of physical harassment might occur in
institutional environment. In general, the overall standard deviation of 0.76
implies a tolerable variation of the general ratings given by the respondents.

The result of the study was supported by Brown (2016) which he implied
that one of the most prevalent effects felt by victims of sexual abuse is shame.
Shame is an intensely painful feeling or experience of believing one is flawed and
therefore unworthy of acceptance and belonging. This strong emotion can lead
survivors to feel trapped, powerless, and isolated. However, this was
contradicted by Loyola (2022), which implies that instead of shame, the most
common effects of sexual harassment is fear. Victims may continue to
experience a fear response triggered by any number of reminders of the sexual
harassment. The triggers or stimuli might be certain features of the man who
harassed the victim, such as skin color, facial hair, body build, type of dress, and
so forth. It might be related to the situation or the setting in which the harassment
took place, such as dark nights, country roads, or even the victims own home. In
other words, anything which remind them of the harassment may serve as a
trigger for a fear response.

Students Coping Strategy

Table 4.1. Students Coping Strategy in terms of Adaptive.
Indicator Standard Description
Mean Deviation
(SD)
1. Sought Emotional Support 3.23 1.24 To a moderate extent
2. Sought Instrumental Support 3.14 1.30 To a moderate extent
3. Sought Counseling 2.41 1.26 To a less extent
4. Sought Justice 2.12 1.15 To a less extent
5. Sought Self Defense Classes 2.64 1.24 To a moderate extent
6. Engaging in recreational 3.18 1.23 To a moderate extent
activities
 Overall 2.79 0.74 To a moderate
extent

Presented in table 4.1 are the respondent’s victims’ coping strategies in

terms of adaptive. In general, respondents used adaptive coping strategy to a
moderate extent with overall mean of 2.79. Moreover, respondents used sought
emotional support the most with the highest mean of 3.23. On the other hand,
Sought justice used the least by the respondent as coping strategy from sexual
harassment experienced with the lowest obtained mean of 2.12.
The standard deviation obtained in each indicator suggests varied
responses from the students. This implies that respondents may not totally have
similar extent of coping strategy used after being sexually harassed by the
perpetrator. In general, the overall standard deviation of 0.74 implies a tolerable
variation of the general ratings given by the respondents.

The result of the study was supported by Wirkus (2021), which implies that
emotional support can help victims to accept and deal with their difficulties or
illness. Enabling them to communicate their anxieties and fears; derive comfort
from a gentle, sympathetic, caring person; and increase their ability to care for
themselves.

Table 4.2 Students Coping Strategy in terms of Maladaptive.

Indicator Mean SD Description
1. Substance Abuse 3.46 1.22 To a high extent
2. Self-Harming 3.17 1.20 To a moderate extent
3. Binge Eating 3.00 1.25 To a moderate extent
4. Social Withdrawal 3.29 1.27 To a moderate extent
5. Emotional Numbing 3.34 1.17 To a moderate extent
6. Keeping the incident to 3.43 1.20 To a high extent
yourself
Overall 3.28 0.76 To a moderate
extent
Presented in table 4.2 are the respondent’s victims’ coping strategies in
terms of maladaptive. In general, respondents used mal-adaptive coping strategy
to a moderate extent with overall mean of 3.28. Moreover, respondents used
substance abuse the most with the highest mean of 3.23 as coping strategy from
sexual harassment experienced. On the other hand, binge eating used the least
by the respondent with the lowest obtained mean of 2.12.
The standard deviation obtained in each indicator suggests varied
responses from the students. This implies that respondents may not totally have
similar extent of coping strategy used after being sexually harassed by the
perpetrator. In general, the overall standard deviation of 0.746 implies a tolerable
variation of the general ratings given by the respondents.

Results coincide with the 2021, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
which reports that people who are exposed to stress are far more likely to use
mind-altering substances. Drugs and alcohol can provide warm feelings of
euphoria and an escape from reality – and escape from stress.
The Common Place Where Sexual Harassment Experienced.
Table 5.1 Common Place Where Sexual Harassment Experienced Inside
Educational Institution
Indicator Overall Rank
Classroom 1
Hallways 2
School Gymnasium 3
Comfort Room 4
Canteen. 5
Teachers Office 6
Library 7

Above is the respondents ranking on the common place where sexual

harassment is experienced inside educational institution. Results shows the rank;
(1) classroom, (2) hallways (3), school gymnasium (4), comfort room (5), canteen
(6), teacher’s office and (7) library. Results signifies that the common place
where sexual harassment is committed inside school premises is particularly the
classroom setting may be because students spent most of their time in
classroom together.
The result was supported by the study of Javalgekar (2017) on Discussing
Sexual Harassment on Classroom, which shows that some students experienced
sexual harassment inside of the classroom which definitely impair a student’s
well-being and impede their ability to learn in a safe environment.

Table 5.2 Common Place Where Sexual Harassment Experienced

Outside Educational Institution
Indicator Overall Rank
Public Spaces/Streets 1
Mass Transportation/ Public Utility Vehicles 2
Private Home/Residence/Boarding House 3
Camping Sites 4
Health Care Facilities 5
Hotels/ Malls/ Restaurants/ Resorts/ Cinema 6
Religious Place 7
 Result shows the respondents ranked of the common place where they
experienced sexual harassment such as; public space (1), mass transportation
(2), private home/residence (3), camping sites (4), health care facilities (5), hotels
(6), and religious places (7). Results signifies that the common place where
sexual harassment is committed outside school premises is particularly the public
space.
The result of the study was supported by National Study on Sexual
Harassment and Assault in (2019), public space was the location most frequently
reported by respondents for their first experience of sexual harassment, and
where they experienced it the most across their lifetime. Also, Agrawal (2020),
which he implies that most of the college students were experiencing sexual
harassment in public transportation were they encounters different kinds of
harassment which is demeaning and threatening.
The Common Perpetrator of Sexual Harassment
Table 6.1 Common Perpetrator of Sexual Harassment by General
Classes.
Indicator Overall Rank
Acquaintance/ Classmate 1
Lover/ex-lover 2
Friend 3
Stranger 4
Teacher 5
Family member/relatives 6
Trainer 7
Table on previous page shows that the respondents ranked the common
perpetrator of sexual harassment by general classes such as;
acquaintance/classmate (1), lover/ex-lover (2), friend (3), stranger (4), teacher
(5), trainer (6), and family member (7). Results signifies that the common
perpetrator of sexual harassment by general classes is particularly a
respondents’ acquaintance/ classmate.

Table 6.2 Common Perpetrator of Sexual Harassment by Gender

Orientation.
Indicator Overall Rank
Male 1
Gay 2
Bisexual 3
Lesbian 4
Female 5
Transgender 6
Others 7

Respondents rank perpetrator of sexual harassment by gender orientation

as male (1), gay (2), bisexual (3), lesbian (4), female (5), transgender (6), and
others (7). Result also implies that men lead the group of perpetrators in sexual
harassment.
Results was supported by Tvinat (2021), which implies that both victim
and the harasser can be either a woman or a man, and the victim and harasser
can be of the same sex. However, in most incidents, men had been found to be
perpetrators either in the learning institutions or workplaces. According to Barnet
(2019), men are far more likely to express their aggression directly through
physical violence or verbal abuse compare to women.

Table 7. Significant Relationship between Extent of Sexual Harassment

Experienced and Extent of Effects on Respondents’ Psychological
Well-being.
Adjectival
F df p r Interpretation Equivalent

Extent of Sexual
Harassment x
Extent of Effect
17.83 143 .000 0.33 significant
on the Slight
Psychological Positive
Well-being

*at 0.05 level of significance

The result suggests that there is a slight significant relationship between the
extent of sexual harassment experienced and the extent of the effect on
respondents’ psychological well-being at alpha 5%. This reveals that sexual
harassment experienced by the respondents indeed has relationship to the
Psychological well-being of the victim.

Conclusion
Based on the result of the study, females are more likely to experience
greater forms of sexual harassment compared to men and most of them were
aged 19-21 years old but this does not mean that male and other individual with
different gender orientation spared from harassment. Mostly are from a large
number of family with a low socio-economic status.
It is further concluded that verbal sexual harassment commonly took place
and experienced by the students. Likewise, it is further concluded that instead of
adaptive or positive coping mechanism most of the victims resorted to
maladaptive coping mechanism. No matter what is the extent of sexual
harassment experienced it has impact on the psychological well-being of the
victim.
On the other hand, classroom is the most common place inside
educational institution where sexual harassment occur may be because some
would just consider their verbal comments as a joke or just a normal thing to do.
 Likewise, indeed, public spaces can be a haven for sexual harassment
perpetrators due to different people in all walks of life that is present in streets
and other public spaces. Meanwhile, it is concluded that one should not be
complacent to acquaintance as they may posed threat of committing sexual
harassment especially male but as well as other gender orientation too.
Sexual harassment experienced by the respondent’s indeed has a
significant relationship to the Psychological well-being of the victim. Hence,
intervention program and strengthening the observance of anti-sexual
harassment is of much in need.

Recommendation
1. The university should promote education and awareness on the dynamics
of sexual harassment different laws and rule.
2. The university should develop and promulgate internal policy on anti-
sexual harassment and standards of behavior. They should include a
range of clearly stated, appropriate, and escalating disciplinary
consequences for perpetrators found to have violated policy and/or the
law.
3. The sexual harassment policy should be reviewed to prescribe severe
punishment for sexual harassment perpetrators and ensure confidentiality
and anonymity in order to encourage the students to report cases of
sexual harassment.
4. University and Local Government Unit should go hand in hand in
information drive to encourage and help victim of sexual harassment
report the incident at a very first instance in order to give justice to victim
and penalize the perpetrator.
5. Support groups for abused women and men should be organized to help
them share their difficulties. This will also assist in the realization of the
victim that they are not the only ones experiencing such harassment or
abuse. This group should mobilize support for victims of sexual
victimization on campus.
6. University should strengthen counseling and hotspot mapping the area
that is prone to sexual harassment.
7. Self-defense classes are highly recommended. This will help the students
to be able to learn how to defend their own selves in case of danger.
8. A similar study should be conducted on other fields and smaller size of the
sample to determine if the same findings will be established.
9. Proposed program intervention be followed, improved and implemented.

Program Intervention Scheme (Gist only)

Phase I: Sexual Harassment Education Awareness Program
a) Seminar
b) Leaflets
 Phase II: Hotspot Mapping Program
a) Hotspot mapping the areas in coordination with the Philippine
National Police.
b) Patrol and inspect the areas where students usually experienced
sexual harassment.
c) Installation of lights to the secluded areas inside of the university.
d) Networking with LGU for them to implement police visibility in
hotspot area for sexual harassment.

Phase III: SHOC Sumbong Program

a) Dropbox
b) Online Page (school/Barangay)
Phase IV: Recovery Program
a) Counseling
b) Seminar for Parents
c) Recreational Activities and Meditation for Victims

LITERATURE CITED
Online Source

Agrawal, A. (2020), Sexual crime and harassment on public transportation. Retrieved

from https://www.metro-magazine.com/10111994/sexual-crime-and-harassment-
on-public-transportation-a-study.
Barnet, K (2019), The scientific reasons why men are more violent than women.
Retrieved from https://nypost.com/2019/01/16/the-scientific-reasons-why-men-
are-more-violent-than-women/ -March 15, 2020
Buchanan, N. T., Settles, I., Wu, H., & Hayashino, D. (2018). Sexual harassment, racial
harassment, and well-being among Asian American women: An intersectional
approach. Women & Therapy, 1–20. prohuck
Retrieved from https://10.1080/02703149.2018.1425030
Burn, S. (2019) The Psychology of Sexual Harassment. Retrieved from
https://www.psychologytoday.com/sites/default/files/psy_sexual_harassment_sm
burn.pdf
Hills J. (2022), What is Physical Harassment? Retrieved from
https://www.mylawquestions.com/what-is-physical-harassment.htm
Javalgekar, A. (2017) Discussing Sexual Harassment in The Classroom. Retrieved from
https://feminisminindia.com/2017/05/18/sexual-harassment-classroom/
Nelson, V. (2014), Is “Inappropriate Touching” Sexual Harassment? Retrieved from
https://www.experthumanresources.com/is-inappropriate-touching-sexual-
harassment/
Oni, H. (2019) Sexual harassment and victimization of students: a case study of a
higher education institution in South Africa,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6531969/
Scarduzio & Sheff (2018), Coping and Sexual Harassment: How Victims Cope across
Multiple Settings. Retrieved from
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10508-017-1065-7

Tvinat, B. (2021), Why do victims of abuse so often feel shame and experience stigma?
Retrieved from https://thisviolenceisnotatragedy.com/2021/03/03/why-do-victims-
of-abuse-so-often-feel-shame-and-experience-stigma/

Virginia, R. (2018) A National Study on Sexual Harassment and Assault. Retrieved from
https://www.raliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Full-Report-2018-National-
Study-on-Sexual-Harassment-and-Assault.pdf

Williams, K. (2016) Adaptive Coping Strategy. Retrieved from

https://study.com/academy/lesson/adaptive-coping-strategies-definition-
examples.html

Website
PCW (2018), Republic Act 11313: Safe Spaces Act. Retrieved from
https://pcw.gov.ph/republic-act-11313/