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AAUW Sexual Harassment Survey
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About AAUW Sexual Harassment Survey
Scale Name
AAUW Sexual Harassment Survey
Author Details
American Association of University Women (AAUW)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The AAUW Sexual Harassment Survey, developed by the American Association of University Women (2001), is a 14-item self-report measure designed to assess the frequency of sexual harassment experiences among youth aged 10–18 years in U.S. schools. Published as part of the report Hostile Hallways: Bullying, Teasing, and Sexual Harassment in School, the survey captures both verbal/nonphysical (e.g., sexual comments, jokes, rumors, or gestures) and physical (e.g., unwanted touching, pulling clothing) sexual harassment, assessing experiences as both victims and perpetrators. The survey was developed to address sexual harassment as a form of discrimination under Title IX, highlighting its impact on students’ ability to learn and participate in school activities.
Participants rate the frequency of harassment experiences over their school years on a scale (e.g., “Never” to “Often”). The survey was administered to 2,064 students in grades 8–11 (ages ≈ 13–18) in a nationally representative sample of U.S. public schools, with findings showing 81% of students experienced some form of sexual harassment (76% verbal/nonphysical, 58% physical). Girls reported higher rates of victimization, particularly verbal harassment, while boys were more likely to report perpetration. The survey correlates with psychosocial outcomes like depression (r ≈ 0.30–0.45) and lower school engagement (r ≈ -0.25–0.40). It is used in educational psychology to assess harassment prevalence, inform school policies, and evaluate anti-harassment interventions.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the survey from the AAUW’s Hostile Hallways report (2001) or authorized sources, ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (aged 10–18) that the questionnaire assesses school harassment experiences, emphasizing anonymity and honest responses.
- Administer the 14-item survey in a classroom or controlled setting, using paper or digital formats, with instructions to rate the frequency of verbal and physical harassment as victims or perpetrators.
- Estimated completion time is 10–15 minutes.
- Ensure a distraction-free environment; adapt for accessibility (e.g., oral administration) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The AAUW Sexual Harassment Survey demonstrates strong psychometric properties (AAUW, 2001). Internal consistency is high for Physical Victimization (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.91) and acceptable for Verbal/Nonphysical Victimization (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.76), based on a sample of 2,064 students. Test-retest reliability is not explicitly reported but inferred as moderate (r ≈ 0.65–0.80 over 4–6 weeks) from similar self-report harassment measures (e.g., Bond et al., 2007).
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with measures of depression (r ≈ 0.30–0.45) and school disengagement (r ≈ -0.25–0.40). Predictive validity is evidenced by associations with emotional distress and reduced academic performance (r ≈ 0.20–0.35). Discriminant validity is shown by weak correlations with unrelated constructs like academic achievement in non-affected domains (r < 0.20). The two-factor structure (verbal/nonphysical and physical harassment) was confirmed via factor analysis. Pairing with measures like the Weight-Based Teasing Scale (Eisenberg et al., 2003) or the Multidimensional Peer-Victimization Scale (Mynard & Joseph, 2000) enhances assessment of harassment impacts.
Available Versions
14-Items
Reference
Harris, L. (1993). Hostile hallways: The AAUW survey on sexual harassment in America’s schools. Washington, DC: American Association of University Women.
American Association of University Women (2001). Hostile hallways: The AAUW Survey of Sexual Harassment in America’s Schools. Washington, DC
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the AAUW Sexual Harassment Survey measure?
It measures the frequency of verbal/nonphysical and physical sexual harassment as victim or perpetrator in school.
Who is the target population?
Youth aged 10–18 years in school settings.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 10–15 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it identifies harassment prevalence to guide school-based anti-harassment programs.
Is it reliable for cross-cultural use?
Reliable in English; translations require cultural validation.
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