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HOW TO SURVIVE 127
go along with the harassment may elicit aggression and denigration of the
woman.
It is not unusual for a harasser to inflict harassment on more than one
individual. Nor is it unusual that victims of such treatment refrain from
mentioning it. There are those who believe that complaining about sexual
harassment is making a fuss about nothing. They say that it is harmless
fun and the inevitable result of women and men working together. But
students are often unaware that others are stressed in similar ways and that
there is a common source to their problems. Many universities have
appointed an adviser to women students to focus discussion on these issues,
so if you are feeling harassment seek her out. You will be able to discuss
difficulties with her and discover how widespread the problem is across the
university. Most universities have adopted a code of practice which
incorporates a professional code of conduct for staff in relation to students.
What all this adds up to is that you, as a female research student, need to
develop a degree of social skill and confidence in order to be able to cope
with any difficulties that may arise. If necessary attend appropriate courses
in assertion techniques, mobilize your student union and join or press for
the establishment of an anti-harassment committee. Ways in which you
can help to overcome problems of sexual discrimination are given in the
action summary.
Gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gender students
It is estimated that about 1 in every 20 of the population is predominantly
gay or lesbian and there is also a minority of people who are bisexual.
There will therefore be a considerable number of academics and research
students in these groups. Many issues that we have discussed in other
sections of this chapter are equally relevant to gay and lesbian students.
For example, problems concerning the legitimacy of topics and method-
ology are applicable to people researching on sexuality issues; and sexual
harassment may arise if either the supervisor or the research student is
openly gay or is in the closet.
The effects of stereotyping are considerable. For example, even though
statistics show that most sexual abuse of children is perpetrated by hetero-
sexual males (often a member of the child s family) media reporting makes
it appear that homosexual males are predominantly to blame. Myths such
as this only serve to add to the difficulties experienced by gay and lesbian
students. As Leonard (1997) points out, while it is women who are more
likely to feel fear, in western society it is young men  especially those who
are from ethnic minorities or are gay  who are more likely to be the
subject of violence when, for example, walking home from the library
after dark.
128 HOW TO GET A PhD
Trans-gender people have a very strong desire to be accepted in their
new identity but because they are concerned about other s reactions often
decide to keep their history secret. The worry about disclosure can affect
their work and cause much unnecessary stress.
Increasingly, gay and lesbian people wish to be frank with their friends
and colleagues but this honesty opens up greater possibilities for dis-
crimination. Gay or lesbian students who come out may find that their
supervisors are nonplussed or antagonistic and this will complicate their
relationship. Alternatively, if they remain silent but are subsequently
outed they can become targets for harassment. They thus have a risky
decision to make.
One way to avoid these problems is to ensure that you keep your emo-
tional life and your professional life apart as far as possible, especially so far
as members of academic staff are concerned. You might also try to discover
some others in a similar situation for mutual support and, if necessary, get
together to influence your university to take these issues seriously. Don t
forget that the student union is there to help all students and that includes
you.
Heterosexist harassment
Heterosexism is a set of ideas and practices which assumes that hetero-
sexuality is the superior and therefore the only  normal and  natural form
of sexual relationship. Heterosexism works against lesbians, bisexuals, and
gay men although, unlike colour or sex, it is impossible to tell by looking
whether someone is bisexual, gay or lesbian.
Harassment causes distress, interferes with people s ability to work and
can seriously restrict their opportunities. Harassment of lesbians, gay men [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]