When 71.9 percent of surveyed Sequoia students say that they have been sexually harassed “jokingly,” it stops being funny. As a school and as a society, we are no longer conscious of the words we use and the meanings that those words carry. And just as quickly as we say it, we assume that what we have said is forgotten.

But what if it hasn’t been forgotten? A casual joke, a whispered comment or an unsolicited compliment may seem harmless. But being constantly bombarded with these “jokes” can be seriously detrimental. Subtle actions like these may be small, but that doesn’t change what they are: sexual harassment. These “little” actions can have a big impact, and they shouldn’t be tolerated just because they’re not physical assault.

Oftentimes, when we make sexual jokes or comments, we don’t intend to harass our friends or classmates who overhear. Within your friend group, your daily banter might be laced with sexual innuendo you all find funny. If that’s your style, that’s fine. But make sure you know that everyone is on the same page and you are aware of your surroundings. There is a time and place for your brand of humor, but subjecting your history seat partner to your sexual jokes for an entire 100 minute period may cause discomfort.

Sometimes it’s hard to draw the line. When does that joke become harassment? Anybody who wasn’t involved can’t understand the full context of a situation, so it’s up to us be conscious. And despite the omnipresent effort of the school, it’s the students’ responsibility to stop sexual harassment, joking or not.

According to our survey, only 1.3 percent of cases of on-campus sexual harassment were brought to a staff member, and none of the respondents went to the administration. With numbers like these, it’s important that we take on more responsibility as bystanders. It’s in our control to step in when someone crosses the line between joking and sexual harassment. It’s our responsibility to side with the victims of sexual harassment not just in thought, but in action.

Jokes can become serious. Harassment can start interfering with the physical or emotional well-being of a student. It can impede someone’s ability to learn.
Reporting sexual harassment is a daunting prospect. Reporting doesn’t necessarily mean going straight to administration or to the police. Little acts can be critical to minimizing harassment in our hallways.

If you notice your friend’s comments are getting out of hand, or your classmate’s inappropriate conversations are becoming too loud, don’t hesitate to let them know. You don’t need to give them an hour-long lecture—a simple reminder might do the trick: “Hey, enough,” or, “Okay, too far.” As a student body, we have control over our school environment, and we should all make a commitment to keeping it safe.

For more information about sexual assault, go online to RAINN.org or call (800) 656-4673.