An investigation into the impact of a sexual harassment training program on the awareness and attitudes of college students.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to provide a systematic evaluation of a sexual harassment awareness training program on working college students. The study utilized three training groups which consisted of a no training control group, a group which received training In written form only, and a group which received training In a seminar format. The two training groups received essentially the same Information In different formats. An awareness measure used to assess knowledge, and awareness, of sexual harassment In participants was developed for this study. The measure drew upon the content of the training program In developing test Items. Two attitude measures were also used to evaluate changes In the attitudes of participants: The Tolerance of Sexual Harassment Scale (TSH) (Lott, Reilley, Crafts, Howard, Howard, , Hahoney, 1981) and the Attitude Towards Famlnlsm Scale short form (fEll) (Singleton' Christiansen, 1977) which assessed attitudes towards sexual harassment and equal rights for women. A sample of 36 working college students was used, consisting of 17 males and 19 females. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the three training groups. Assessment measures were administered prior to, and following training for all three groups, with the time delay between evaluations held constant for all groups. The results Indicated that training was effective In developing sexual harassment awareness In subjects who received training. The two formats were equally effective for female subjects, but males are significantly less affected than females In the literature only training group. This suggests that a full training format had more Impact on males than the literature only format. Data obtained from the Tolerance of Sexual Harassment scale indicated that training was effective in reducing the tolerance of sexual harassment for males. Female scores on the TSH were significantly higher than male scores Indicating less tolerant attitudes towards sexual harassment. An examination of FEH scores revealed significant gender differences with females holding attitudes significantly more acceptance of feminist views when compared to males. No effects of training were reflected In the participant's scores on the FEH. The results of this study support the use of sexual harassment awareness training as a method of developing awareness of sexual harassment and changing attitudes towards sexual harassment. It also Identifies the Importance of the gender of the participating and the format of the training program on the impact of such training.