For Immediate Release

June 1, 2006

Contact:    Maanav Thakore, Community Organizer

                  617-524-8303 x305, 617-838-9256, maanav@hydesquare.org

                  Jesus Gerena, Director of Community Development and Organizing

                  617-524-8303 x304, 617-515-8633, jesus@hydesquare.org

Teens to Release Study on Sexual Harassment in The Boston Public High Schools

On Tuesday, June 6, 2006, at 4:00 P.M. at The Nurse’s Hall at the Massachusetts State House, teens from the Hyde Square Task Force will release the results of a recent survey on the issue of sexual harassment in the Boston Public High Schools.

The teens, working with and guided by adult volunteers, designed and conducted a survey for over 500 BPS high school students.

Some of the findings that will be released include:

• 80% of students surveyed have experienced sexual harassment during school hours
• 49% of students surveyed say that they have been touched, grabbed or pinched
• 39% of students surveyed have been brushed against in a sexual manner
• 25% of students surveyed have been blocked or cornered in school
• 75% of students surveyed who have experienced harassment did not report the incident

According to Maanav Thakore, a Community Organizer with the Hyde Square Task Force, “The study clearly demonstrates that sexual harassment is a serious civil rights issue that deeply affects the health and well-being of our city’s young people.”

At the press conference, in addition to the release of the findings, several BPS students will provide testimony on this issue. Also, teen community organizers will present their recommendations on how to address the issue of sexual harassment through a comprehensive approach. State Representative Jeffrey Sanchez is scheduled to speak at the conference. 

This recent study is the second stage of a community organizing campaign against sexual harassment in Boston. Last summer female teens with the Hyde Square Task Force confronted the issue of sexual harassment on the streets in Jamaica Plain and Roxbury through an outreach campaign to educate both males and females on this issue.

The Hyde Square Task Force is a community-based non-profit that has been serving youth and families in Jamaica Plain and Roxbury for the past fifteen years.

To read recent press about the Hyde Square Task Force campaign against sexual harassment, go to:

http://www.hydesquare.org/news_and_events/highlights/respect/respect_article.html

To learn more about the Hyde Square Task Force, go to:  http://www.hydesquare.org/