Crossing the Line (2011)

Based on findings from a nationally representative survey conducted in May and June, 2011, this report presents the most comprehensive research to date on sexual harassment in grades 7-12 and reveals some sobering statistics about the prevalence of sexual harassment and the negative impact it has on students' education.

The report concludes with concrete recommendations and promising practices for preventing sexual harassment directed at school administrators, educators, parents, students and community members. We hope readers will be inspired to take new steps toward making schools free from sexual harassment.

AAUW has been at the forefront of sexual harassment research for over a decade, including the 1993 Hostile Hallways survey and the 2001 follow up report, Hostile Hallways: Bullying Teasing and Sexual Harassment in School.

Report

• Download the full report (PDF, 2 MB)
• Download the Executive Summary (PDF, 723 kB)
• Hard copies of Crossing the Line may be requested through ShopAAUW.

PowerPoint Presentations
Share findings at meetings, conferences, and other events.

• Long presentation
• Short presentation
• Presentation for administrators
• Presentation for educators
• Presentation for parents

Program in a Box (PDF, 378 kB)
Details ways to get involved using AAUW's research.

Stay informed

• Read blog posts about sexual harassment in schools at AAUW Dialog
• Follow @AAUWResearch on Twitter for relevant news
• Check out media coverage of the report

Media Inquiries
To schedule an interview, please contact Media Relations.

Katie Broendel, Media Relations
202/785-7761 or broendelk@aauw.org

Lisa Goodnight, Media Relations
202/785-7738 or goodnightl@aauw.org

Report Authors
Catherine Hill is the director of research at AAUW, where she focuses on gender equity in education and employment. She has co-authored numerous reports and articles on women's issues. Before coming to AAUW, Hill was a study director at the Institute for Women's Policy Research and an assistant professor at the University of Virginia. She has a bachelor's and a master's degree from Cornell University and a doctorate in public policy from Rutgers University.

Holly Kearl is the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund program manager. Previously she worked for the National Women's History Museum. Kearl also is a leading expert and writer on gender-based street harassment. She founded www.StopStreetHarassment.org and wrote Stop Street Harassment: Making Public Places Safe and Welcoming for Women (Praeger, 2010). She serves as a gender reviewer for UN-Habitat's 2013 Global Reports on Human Settlements. Kearl received a master's degree from George Washington University and bachelor's degrees from Santa Clara University.

Methodology
The report on the survey methodology conducted by Knowledge Networks is available for download. 

This report was made possible by generous contributions from AAUW members and donors to The Eleanor Roosevelt Fund, The Legal Advocacy Fund, and The Mooneen Lecce Giving Circle.