Cultural toxicity measured differently through gendered lens

Respect, Responsibility, and Safety. The Wildcat Way rings across West daily, but sexual harrassment calls into question all three tenets of the school motto. However, ensuring accountability proves difficult when male and female students have differing opinions on how offenses should be addressed.

 Some students believe that a rape culture, or an environment that trivializes incidents of harrassment or abuse,  ceases to exist altogether within the student body due to a lack of knowledge of sexual assault or harassment.

“I haven’t heard of enough situations to consider it a problem,” said one anonymous senior boy. “Those specific situations are problematic, but as a whole, sexual assault does not happen enough for it to be a problem amongst students.”

Another anonymous male reinforced the notion that sexual assault between students at school was a rarity.

“I don’t believe that sexual harassment/assault is an issue between students at West because I have not been exposed to it, and I’ve only ever heard about one case of sexual assault between students, and it took place outside of school,” he said. 

A third male student offered a different opinion on the matter, claiming that rape culture may stem from a larger issue.

“I feel like the biggest problem is communication, because ‘harassment’ can have all sorts of connotations,” he said. “There are certain situations where someone gives consent, regrets it, and then says later it is harassment.” 

One of the previous male students believes sexual harassment and sexual assault was a result of power struggles between students.

“I think people sexually harass/assault other people because they lack respect for the victim and their personal boundaries,” he said. “It usually comes from a place of power, so offenders think they can get away with it; I would say typically they have some sort of power over the victim, whether it be status in the social hierarchy, age, or financial situation.”

Some female students hold more pragmatic beliefs on the validity of rape culture, beliefs derived from personal experiences.

“Sexual assault and harassment is a big issue anywhere, no matter where you go,” one anonymous female student said. “It happens a lot, even if I don’t know about every instance.”

A second anonymous senior girl agreed.

“I think that outside of school, especially over social media, sexual harassment is a huge issue,” she said. “Since I was a freshman, I have not made it through a year without having a male student demand sex or nude pictures from me.”

Another anonymous source revealed that she has struggled with unwanted attention images. 

“Pretty much all of my friends have received unsolicited pictures,” she said.

While male and female students have different opinions on the existence of a toxic atmosphere, they hold similar views on why harassment or assault occurs.

“There aren’t consequences for it; people never go to jail for a significant amount of time,” said the first anonymous female student. “One person gets away with it, so other people think it is okay, and they do it.”

One of the previous senior girls shared a similar sentiment.

“I think ignorance plays a factor; some people believe that asking someone for nude photos is a compliment, when it actually is extremely uncomfortable,” she said. “However, the people who do ask, don’t consider the other perspective, so harassment is perpetuated.”

Both male and female students suggested potential solutions to support victims and prevent sexual assault and harassment from occurring. 

“We have homeroom every Monday. I can say, in my four years at West, I’ve never seen a lesson about sexual harassment,” one male student said.

Another student took a different approach, suggesting a solution that would put students in direct contact with counselors and administrators.

“I think that giving students an anonymous line of communication with administration would help, whether that be online or some sort of tip box by the office or check-in desks,” he said.

Students additionally are hoping that counseling could be more accessible and widespread. 

“More people need to know about our counselors and what they can do.  I didn’t realize their impact until sophomore year” said one female student.

Counselor Lynn Swoverland is aware of the frequency of the issue rising globally and locally. 

“I think at any high school sexual assault and harassment is an issue. Especially a building of our size,” she said.

Principal Erin Kohl takes such situations very seriously. 

“If even one student is a victim, it is an issue,” she said. “Administration can work with the victim to create a safety plan for school. This might involve schedule changes or other measures to keep the victim away from the offender as much as possible.”

Assistant Principal Aaron Herm explains the protocol for punishing offenders.

“We involve law enforcement regardless of where assault or harassment occurs,” he said. “Issues in school would result in school consequences in addition to legal consequences. The degree of punishment relates to the varying degrees of the offense, but sexual harrassment or assault is something that could certainly rise to the level of expulsion.”

Swoverland mentions that protocols for situations at home vary.

“If it’s happening in the family, I am not going to call the parent in that situation,” she said. “I am going to call CPS and make sure that that student is not feeling any safety concerns going home.”

While many victims are afraid to speak out, Swoverland reminds students that they deserve to feel safe.

“If you do report, it might feel very uncomfortable at first, but we want your safety needs to be met,” she said. “I want students to know their worth, and nobody should have to deal with harassment.”

By Anika Larson and Claire Garton

Oshkosh West Index Volume 118 Issue V

February 22, 2022