Merriam-Webster defines sexual harassment “as uninvited and unwelcome verbal or physical behavior of a sexual nature especially by a person in authority toward a subordinate.”

Let’s contextualize this. 

At a party, I watched a girl repeatedly approach a boy, touch him in a sexual nature, and protest when he rejected her sexual advances. I also witnessed the boy being chastised for rejecting such advances. Nobody protested these actions. Nobody even batted an eye. 

This is not an isolated incident. 

After last March’s Gender Week, a number of conversations about sexual harassment arose within Parker’s walls, mostly centering around women’s experiences. Yes, sexual harassment has and continues to be experienced by women in just about every systemic institution at many hierarchal levels, especially when a power imbalance arises. But we consistently disregard how boys can be victims of the same type of harassment when such imbalances are present.

We often think of power imbalances as a physical presence. Since men are usually taller and physically stronger, they are often the villain in stories of sexual harassment or assault. Power imbalances, however, can manifest themselves through social dynamics, like the relationship between a boss and an employee, or between students from varying levels of social status. 

With movements like #MeToo, we’ve seen how people of a lower social rank are manipulated, often by force, into sexual interactions by their superiors. While #MeToo shined a spotlight on the horrific experiences of women in Hollywood, the narrative of the men who are victims of sexual harassment and abuse was completely neglected in the public’s discourse. 

Research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that nearly one in six males has experienced sexual abuse or assault by the time they turn 18. Due to long-standing societal norms about what makes “a man,” many male victims of sexual abuse or assault do not seek help, risking exposure to a myriad of greater health issues.

Some may say that Parker breeds an environment of toxic masculinity. In a community where news of peoples’ sexual conquests spreads like wildfire, it’s easy for competition to arise. This environment is acknowledged by teachers and students regularly. Without realizing it, we enforce the idea that men must be sexually domineering and frown upon the refusal of potential “hook-ups.” 

What isn’t spoken of, however, are instances of toxic femininity. Although it is rare, women are capable of exhibiting the same predatory behavior that is often associated with men.

In high schools, girls often feel obligated to engage in sexual behavior with boys that are older or more popular. Due to their smaller size and generally weaker physical strength, we assume that female students aren’t capable of intimidating or pressuring their male counterparts into sexual activity. 

We fail to acknowledge how the same dynamic can be reversed: women of higher social status can use their power to persuade boys to engage in the same behavior. When we see scenarios of girls using social—or maybe physical—power over a man, we remain silent. We dismiss these acts as harmless and brush them under the carpet in the same way as stories of female sexual harassment victims are ignored in schools and workforces.

As we “Gen Z’ers” strive to eradicate sexual harassment from Parker and halt its progression into our professional lives, we women have to practice what we preach when we say “no means no.” We need to hold one another accountable, regardless of gender.