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  • Year 9

Sexual harassment

I can explain what sexual harassment is, the law surrounding it and how to get help.

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View unit
Lesson 3 of 3
New
New
  • Year 9

Sexual harassment

I can explain what sexual harassment is, the law surrounding it and how to get help.

Download all
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Sexual harassment is unwanted sexual words, actions or behaviours that make someone uncomfortable, upset or afraid.
  2. Sexual harassment can be physical, verbal, non-verbal or digital.
  3. The law protects individuals from sexual harassment and provides legal recourse.
  4. There are various ways to seek help and support if experiencing or witnessing sexual harassment.

Keywords

  • Sexual harassment - unwanted words, actions or behaviours of a sexual nature that make someone uncomfortable, upset or afraid

  • Consent - everyone involved clearly agrees to sexual activity without pressure; it's freely given, can be withdrawn anytime, and requires understanding

  • Legal recourse - the ability to seek assistance or justice through legal means

  • Support - the actions taken to help someone who is in a difficult or dangerous situation, such as providing care and seeking medical attention

Common misconception

Sexual harassment is always physical.

Sexual harassment can also be verbal or non-verbal, such as sending threatening messages or making inappropriate gestures.


To help you plan your year 9 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Sexual harassment, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Speak with your RSHE lead or DSL before delivering this lesson.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of sexual content

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words to the correct definition.

Correct Answer:victim,a person who is harmed as a result of another's actions

a person who is harmed as a result of another's actions

Correct Answer:perpetrator,an individual who has committed a harmful act

an individual who has committed a harmful act

Correct Answer:coercion,forcing someone to do something against their will through threats

forcing someone to do something against their will through threats

Q2.
Which statement is inaccurate?

People can use power imbalances to abuse others.
Correct answer: Power imbalances are always concerning.
Power imbalances can sometimes lead to exploitation.
Healthy romantic relationships should have equal power.

Q3.
Which of the following are risks associated with CSE (Child Sexual Exploitation)?

feeling more safe and secure
Correct answer: experiencing serious mental health conditions
increased socialising with loved ones
Correct answer: becoming involved in substance abuse

Q4.
Unwanted sexual actions that hurt, pressure or make others feel unsafe or uncomfortable are known as ...

Correct Answer: harmful sexual behaviour, harmful sexual behaviours, harmful sexual behaviour (HSB)

Q5.
If this is the definition, what is the word? To influence someone’s emotions to make them do something.

Correct answer: manipulate
groom
exploit

Q6.
Which of the following statements are accurate?

Only some relationships require boundaries.
We should only worry about our own boundaries.
Boundaries don't exist if there is a power imbalance.
Correct answer: Boundaries exist in every type of relationship we have.

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words to the correct definition.

Correct Answer:sexual harassment,unwanted sexual behaviour that makes someone feel unsafe/uncomfortable

unwanted sexual behaviour that makes someone feel unsafe/uncomfortable

Correct Answer:consent,everyone involved clearly agrees to sexual activity without pressure

everyone involved clearly agrees to sexual activity without pressure

Correct Answer:legal recourse,the ability to seek assistance or justice through legal means

the ability to seek assistance or justice through legal means

Q2.
Which statement about sexual harassment is accurate?

Sexual harassment is always physical.
Sexual harassment can only happen in person.
Sexual harassment only counts as words or physical actions.
Correct answer: Sexual harassment can be verbal, non-verbal, physical or digital.

Q3.
Match the action to the form of sexual harassment.

Correct Answer:sharing sexual content without consent,digital sexual harassment

digital sexual harassment

Correct Answer:kissing someone without consent,physical sexual harassment

physical sexual harassment

Correct Answer:making a sexualised joke,verbal sexual harassment

verbal sexual harassment

Correct Answer:making inappropriate gestures,non-verbal sexual harassment

non-verbal sexual harassment

Q4.
Which statement is not accurate?

Sexual harassment does not have to be repetitive behaviour.
Correct answer: Victims only have legal recourse if sexual harassment occurs in person.
The Equality Act covers sexual harassment at work, school and public services.

Q5.
Sexual harassment that comes under the Sexual Offences Act (2003) and the Online Safety Act (2023) are considered offences.

Correct Answer: criminal

Q6.
Crimestoppers, the police, trusted adults and the NSPCC are all places that victims can go to for ...

Correct Answer: support, help