A STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PLANNED TEACHING PROGRAMME ON LEVELS OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND EXPRESSED PRACTICES REGARDING PREVENTION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AMONG SCHOOL GIRLS AT SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN JABALPUR, MADHYA PRADESH

Abstract

Sexual harassment is a pervasive social evil that undermines the dignity, safety, and mental health of women and girls worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2023) defines sexual harassment as any unwelcome sexual behavior that causes humiliation, distress, or intimidation. Globally, nearly 1 in 3 adolescent girls report experiencing some form of sexual harassment by the age of 18.

In India, despite legislative measures such as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act (2012), sexual harassment among minors remains alarmingly prevalent. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB, 2023), over 30,000 cases of sexual harassment against minors were reported, with Madhya Pradesh ranking among the top five states. Cultural taboos, fear of stigma, and lack of awareness prevent many victims from reporting incidents or seeking help.