Sexual Harassment of Students by Faculty Members

Although not as common as peer-to-peer sexual harassment on campuses, sexual harassment of students by faculty does occur. According to a monograph published by the American Association of University Women, approximately 7% of students reported being sexually harassed by a professor. Clearly, students find faculty sexual harassment extremely objectionable. Incidents of sexual harassment by faculty are more likely to be reported to the appropriate authorities than are incidents of peer-to-peer sexual harassment.

There is no stereotypical perpetrator of sexual misconduct. In higher education, the sexual exploitation of students by faculty members is exacerbated by the close working relationships that often develop as a result of shared interests, particularly between graduate students and faculty. Students often seek to please faculty members who have the opportunity to advance ...