Have you experienced sexual harassment in Seminole County Public Schools? You are far from alone. Share your experience here to raise your voice against sexual harassment.

As students walk through their school hallways, it is common for them to overhear remarks about their bodies, how they are dressed, or the type of person they are. However, most students have no outlet to go and are forced to push these degrading messages aside. How long will SCPS students have to put up with sexual harassment? 

It is vital that Seminole County schools address this ongoing problem, as students will not put up with this anymore. Many high schools lack sexual education, which is the first preventative measure to stopping sexual harassment. Examples of sexual harassment education that must be implemented include information about relationships, sex education, sexual harassment awareness, and consent. Signatures on this petition show how urgent it is to enforce this type of education in k-12 schools. 

It is also common for students to be unaware of who to contact when sexually harassed. Many students will avoid talking to teachers and staff because the conversation about sexual harassment is silenced in schools. There was an increase of 50% in the number of students sexually harassed at k-12 schools from the years 2015 to 2018, according to The Washington Post. How are students supposed to strive in an environment where they are silenced?

Students are often silenced on matters that should be handled correctly and quickly by their schools. It is imperative that our voices are heard. Therefore, by signing this petition, you are helping to propose better sexual harassment prevention programs in SCPS, which will allow for a safer classroom environment for all, in addition to reform of offices that are supposed to aide survivors of sexual harassment and provide them with mental health support.

In solidarity, 

Seminole County Public Schools student Fayza Jaffer (Senior, Lake Mary High School).