After the MeToo Movement reached a global scale, many people have had the courage to speak up against their harassers and support others through their tough times.

It has also led to the questioning of people about their behaviour to know what is socially acceptable and what is not (watch the video at the end for a quick guide to this). 

What is better than to clear out the confusion at the classroom level?

Children when growing up are usually told what to and what not to do in terms of general behaviour in public. It has often happened that some action of theirs is overlooked just because they are younger and so it is okay for them to do so. Umm, no? If you don’t stop a child from (for example) grabbing someone’s buttocks then how do you think they’ll realize that it is not something to be done? 

It is the basic things like that which children need to be brought up with so that unlike many adults who are now in /doubt of their actions, they will grow up with the correct ones. The problem majorly lies in this that the adults do not know what is okay, so how can they teach the younger ones?

Often children are taught to speak up if they feel something wrong has been done to them. At their level, their level of freeness with their class teachers should allow them to seek refuge to them if need be. The basic need is for students to feel comfortable with their teachers so that they are able to report any inappropriate deeds. It goes for the older students as well. Counselling cells in schools are also an effective and safe place where students can go to. 

While it is true that once a rumour about a fellow student is out, it is easy to boycott them. As much as social boycotting is useful, it is not conclusive. Proper action must be taken against one who has had the daring to torment others. It would set an example to other possible predators and also serve justice to some extent. 

It is another issue that often there are texts taught in the school where the subject matter might be delicate. In the wake of the movement, some teachers have been asking how they must continue to deal with it. The answer is simple – just because you are teaching something, it does not mean that the content is written by you, it may be the author’s view or just plain fiction. 

Students can benefit from commentary that would not support the wrongful behaviour of the characters in the text. If you just teach and not offer some moral advice at that moment, then it may be confusing for the young teens to know which is right. The moral compass of one may differ from another, but basic humanity never changes. 

Schools do not spread the news of any harassment cases for fear of their own defamed reputation. Instead, they suspend or expel the student. The question is, do you think that is enough or should legal action be taken instead?