GCSE PSHE: Sexual harassment - Part 2 Two weeks later

91�ȱ� Teach > Secondary resources > GCSE PSHE > Is this sexual harassment?

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Advisory: Not suitable for children under the age of 14

Video summary

The second of three films telling the story of a professional relationship between a man and woman at work, which ends with an accusation of sexual harassment and an employment tribunal hearing.

The film shows the story progressing to a tribunal hearing and the questioning of the female character.

The film is accompanied by a discussion piece with 20 people aged 18 to 30 talking about their perceptions of what happens in this film.

Teacher Notes

This film is suitable for 14-16 year olds, however we advise making yourself familiar with the content and considering carefully whether it will be appropriate and of use for your specific cohort.

Check your school policies to make sure you follow school guidelines and talk to a member of the SLT if in doubt about anything.

Check to see if any of your class have any child protection issues – e.g. abuse or sexual harassment.

Once you are confident it is the right resource for your pupils, watch it through alone and jot down your thoughts, questions and reactions to the drama as it unfolds.

You may decide not to tell your class that this is a film about sexual harassment until the very end. By doing this you will enable them to approach it with an open mind and really explore and debate their views without having any pre-judgement.

During the lesson/watching the film

Set up a working agreement with the class and create a list of ground rules for the session so everyone feels safe and able to talk and join in discussions without being judged. (Remember to include a reminder to talk to a trusted adult if anything in the film makes them feel uncomfortable).

If you have watched Film 1. Spend some time recapping on the film and the group’s thoughts on it so far. Revisit the ideas of relationships – what are their thoughts on the relationships in this drama so far between all the different characters? How would you feel working there if you were Cat/Ryan/a colleague – the new girl or the other bar staff? Encourage the class to think on – what could happen next? What do you think this film might be about? Give lots of time for paired, group or whole class discussion and write up their ideas on a flip chart or smartboard so you can use or refer to these in future lessons.

Timing: This film is 5.29 minutes long.

The first section stops at 1.01 minutes. You could pause at this point and ask questions like: What’s building here? Why do you think Head Office came in? What do you think about that? How do you think Ryan is feeling? How do you think Cat is feeling? What about the other staff? What tells you they are feeling this way? Has this changed your views at all?

The second and final section is called ‘The Tribunal – The Defence’ and stops at 5.29 minutes.

Again discuss their thoughts on what is unfolding. How are both Cat and Ryan reacting to these statements? What do you think the outcome will be? What makes you think this?

At the end of your session look back at your earlier questions and allow time for discussion and to pull everything together. Try and make time for some quiet reflection at the end too.

Always check in with the group and remind them to talk to someone if anything they have seen or discussed has made them feel uncomfortable and always signpost where they can get further support or information both within and outside of school. E.g. ChildLine will talk to people right up to the age of 19 for support and the Equality Advisory and Support Service is available to give advice, information or guidance on equality, discrimination or human rights issues. (Both are free to use).

Following on

You can use the additional resource called ‘Discussion on Part 2’ which is part of a set of three separate films showing young people in discussion about each film. This can be viewed in support or to extend on from your pupils’ debates if they are a lively bunch, or to get them going if they are a quieter group. (Be sure to watch this ahead of the session so you are happy and aware of the content before showing it).

There is one other film in this drama series which shows how the story unfolds (this also has a discussion film). You could continue this series across another lesson/a few lessons if timetabling allows and see how the story unfolds and how the law sees it at the end.

Continued debate and discussion is recommended and if you can resist not telling your class it is about sexual harassment until the end of the series, this will create a really interesting learning journey, building skills in empathy, discussion, listening and debating.This lesson could also be used in the context of, or followed up with, a look at the laws surrounding sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment is unlawful under The Equality Act 2010 in England, Scotland and Wales and The Sex Discrimination Order, 1976 in Northern Ireland.