Extent and nature of perceived victimization and perpetration of sexual bullying amongst adolescent learners in Mafikeng Local Municipality

Abstract

Objectives: The specific objectives of the study are identified as follows: (1) to obtain empirical data on the extent of perceived victimization and perpetration of sexual bullying amongst adolescent learners in secondary schools in the Mahikeng Local Municipality; (2) to obtain empirical data on the nature of perceived victimization and perpetration of sexual bullying amongst adolescent learners in secondary schools in the Mahikeng Local Municipality; (3) to investigate whether low and high self-esteem adolescent learners differ on perception of victimization of sexual bullying behaviour and ( 4) to investigate whether low and high self-esteem adolescent learners differ with perception of perpetration of sexual bullying. Method: Data was collected from three hundred and sixty six (366) student participants randomly selected~ Age of participants ranged from 14 to 19 years (SD= 1.22). Results were analysed using descriptive analysis to test hypothesis one and two, while at-test was used to test hypothesis three and four. Results: The results showed that more learners experienced low sexual bullying perpetration 236 (64.5%) and low sexual bullying victimization 204 (55.7%), while the rest of the learners seem to have experienced high sexual bullying victimization 162 (44.3%) and high sexual bullying perpetration 130 (35.5%). Recommendations: Policies in school districts need to be reviewed and amended explicitly with regard to all forms of bullying and harassment including harassment related to gender. School district Policies must be clear in terms of implementation, both their reporting, and response mechanisms and they must be aligned with South African school laws. Other preventive measures in line with the results of the study were made.