Start young to fight sex harassment

The dark culture of sexual harassment and rape culture is finally once more coming to light. Since the Weinstein scandal was reported on nearly two months ago by The New York Times, allegations have transcended party lines and professions. Al Franken recently resigned from the Senate amid harassment allegations, and Trent Franks is to resign at the end of January. It's essential to hold the current leaders of our society accountable for their actions, but it's also important to improve conditions for the next generation of leaders: the students.

The foundation of a school is based upon trust between students and teachers. Investigations earlier this year by The Boston Globe uncovered a pattern of sexual abuse since the 1960s at Connecticut boarding school Choate Rosemary Hall. At least a dozen teachers were involved, with no action taken by the administration. In late October, I learned that three professors at Dartmouth College, the university I attend as a freshman, had received allegations of sexual misconduct.

Sexual misconduct has no place anywhere in society, but what are we doing about it?

Schools should not silence students or staff that share their experiences with harassment and assault. They must respond immediately to concerns and complaints. Sexual assaults should be reported in much the same way that other crimes are. Sexual harassment and violence lessons should begin before students enter college - for instance, in high school and perhaps even in elementary and middle schools. Starting young is the only way to change a culture, when students' beliefs are still open to change.

Sexual harassment disrupts careers and futures and lives. We need to respond.

Rachna Shah

Barrington