A new doctoral thesis in psychology finds that peer sexual harassment does not wait for adolescence. According to the research by Aziz-Kaan Dönmez, such behavior emerges as early as Grade 4 and remains present through lower secondary school.
The study also highlights a striking overlap between roles: most of those who sexually harass others have themselves been subjected to harassment. That pattern suggests the issue is not a simple matter of distinct offenders and victims, but part of a broader social dynamic among peers.
The findings point to a clear need for prevention efforts before Grade 4, rather than waiting until later grades. Addressing the behavior early, the thesis suggests, could be key to reducing harassment as children move through school. The source does not include specific recommendations for intervention strategies, but the timing of the findings makes the case for earlier action.