Two-thirds of surveyed female students and half of surveyed male students in secondary vocational schools have experienced some form of sexual harassment at school, during vocational training or learning through work, according to a survey^[1] conducted by the Autonomous Women’s Centre and its partner organisations.

Although some forms of sexual harassment are rare, at least one young person included in the survey experienced each type of verbal, non-verbal, physical and digital harassment. Perpetrators include both adults and peers.

Despite the relatively high prevalence of sexual harassment reported by young people in this survey, only a small percentage of surveyed teachers and school staff have direct or indirect knowledge of sexual harassment experienced by their students in school or work environments. This is confirmed by the students themselves: only 5.2% of those who experienced sexual harassment reported it to teachers, while 4.7% turned to school counselling and support services. More than 70% said they trusted their friends and peers the most when it came to discussing their experiences and seeking support. Particularly concerning is the proportion of students who said they had not spoken to anyone about their experiences of sexual harassment in the school environment – almost one in five.

Half of the surveyed teaching staff believe they have only partial or insufficient knowledge of how to provide assistance in specific situations, particularly when the perpetrators of sexual harassment are adults.

The attitudes of young people and teaching staff reveal a complex and ambivalent picture. On the one hand, young people believe they can recognise sexual harassment. On the other, attitudes that minimise perpetrators’ responsibility and shift blame onto victims remain widespread. For example, every second male student and every third female student believe that a student can sexually “provoke” a teacher, instructor, employer or another adult through their clothing or behaviour. Meanwhile, one in two young people, regardless of gender, believe that a girl is responsible if she voluntarily sends an intimate photograph or video of herself to someone who subsequently shares it with others or makes it public.

These findings point to a fundamental misunderstanding of power and responsibility, deeply rooted misogynistic attitudes, and stereotypical perceptions among young people of “typical” victims and perpetrators. Overall, such attitudes are only slightly less prevalent among girls than boys.

Among teaching staff, one-third of respondents believe that students can sexually provoke older individuals, such as teachers, instructors or employers, through their clothing, while one-quarter believe that men and boys sometimes experience sexual urges they cannot control.

Students clearly express both a willingness and a need for adults in the school environment to address these issues more openly, through lectures, workshops and other opportunities for discussion that would help build trust and strengthen prevention and protection. At the same time, they emphasise the need for adults to demonstrate a clear commitment to zero tolerance for violence: to place greater trust in young people, undergo training themselves, and ensure that perpetrators face consequences for their behaviour. This must also include clear, accessible and consistently implemented protection mechanisms, as well as trained and approachable adults who are prepared to respond in ways that build trust.

At the same time, it is encouraging that most teaching staff (two-thirds) believe addressing sexual harassment perpetrated by adults at school, during practical training, or during work-based learning with employers is part of their responsibility to students. In the coming period, they will initiate a series of practical activities in their schools.

The survey findings are particularly important in the context of secondary vocational education, which serves approximately 166,000 young people^[2]. Students in these schools spend more time outside school premises, where they come into contact with adults who may not necessarily be familiar with their responsibilities for ensuring children's safety. This is particularly relevant to learning through work within the dual education system, where young people spend up to 60% of their school time outside school, at employers' premises, in real working environments.

Overall, the findings, together with the interest expressed by students and teaching staff in participating in educational and preventive activities, highlight the need to improve awareness among students, teachers and employers of the risks of sexual harassment and available protection mechanisms.

The survey was conducted as part of the EU-funded project Bezbedna – Secondary Vocational Education Free from Sexual Harassment, implemented by the Autonomous Women’s Centre in partnership with the Women’s Center Užice, the Alternative Girls’ Center from Kruševac, ROZA – Association for Women’s Labour Rights from Zrenjanin, and the Kokoro Association from Bor.

The survey report is available here.

^[1] This exploratory study was conducted in the second half of 2025 and covered ten secondary vocational schools: two each in Užice, Bor, Kruševac and Belgrade, one in Zrenjanin and one in Srpska Crnja. A total of 410 secondary school students and 122 staff members employed at these schools participated in the survey.

^[2] Data from the beginning of the 2024/2025 school year.