Abstract
ObjectiveSexual harassment is unlawful in all work and educational environments in most nations of the world. The goals of this study were to describe the sexual harassment prevalence and to evaluate the experiences and attitudes of undergraduate students in one dental school in Brazil.Material and MethodsAn 18-item questionnaire was administered to 254 dental students with a completion rate of 82% (208). Students were requested to respond to questions about their background and academic level in dental school, their personal experiences with sexual harassment and their observation of someone else being sexually harassed. Bivariate statistical analyses were performed.ResultsFifteen percent of the students reported being sexually harassed by a patient, by a relative of a patient or by a professor. Male students had 3 times higher probability of being sexually harassed than female student [OR=2.910 (1.113-7.611)]. Additionally, 25.4% of the students reported witnessing sexual harassment at the school environment. The majority of students did not feel professionally prepared to respond to unwanted sexual behaviors.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate that sexual harassment can occur in a dental school setting. There is a need for ongoing sexual harassment education programs for students and university staff. Increased knowledge of sexual harassment during graduation can better prepare dental professionals to respond to sexual harassment during their practice.
Highlights
Sexual harassment is an unwelcome deliberate or unintentional action that creates a hostile work environment for the employee24
In Brazil, as well as in several countries of Latin America, sexual harassment is prohibited by the law through the national Penal Code, in the chapter of crimes against sexual freedom3; there is no RI¿FLDO UHFRPPHQGDWLRQ DERXW VH[XDO GLVFULPLQDWLRQ in educational environments
The sexual harassment questionnaire was completed by 208 students (82%); 65.9% females and 34.1% males
Summary
Sexual harassment is an unwelcome deliberate or unintentional action that creates a hostile work environment for the employee. Sexual harassment involves the interpretation of a verbal, nonverbal, or physical action against another person and may refer to an action that is not mutually agreed upon or reciprocated by another individual. This behavior interferes with an individual’s work performance and creates an atmosphere of intimidation resulting in a lack of concentration for the victim. In the United States, which is one of the pioneer countries in this kind of legislation, sexual harassment is prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 196423. In Brazil, as well as in several countries of Latin America, sexual harassment is prohibited by the law through the national Penal Code, in the chapter of crimes against sexual freedom; there is no RI¿FLDO UHFRPPHQGDWLRQ DERXW VH[XDO GLVFULPLQDWLRQ in educational environments
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
