“No One Talked About It”: Social Work Field Placements and Sexual Harassment

ABSTRACT

Increasing student safety is an important part of Title IX compliance for colleges and universities. Sexual harassment is an all too common experience for college students, although little is known about incidences in social work field placements. The extent of training and preparation received by students from social work program and field instructors is also unknown. This study explores the extent of training and knowledge about sexual harassment in social work field placements from a sample of 535 BSW and MSW students. Only 51% of social work students received training about sexual harassment, with 21% receiving training from their school’s field office. Participants who had received training felt more prepared to address safety concerns in field. Implications for social work education are discussed.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Leila Wood

Leila Wood, PhD, LMSW, is with the Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin. Carrie Moylan, PhD, MSW, is an assistant professor at the Michigan State University School of Social Work.

Carrie Moylan

Leila Wood, PhD, LMSW, is with the Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin. Carrie Moylan, PhD, MSW, is an assistant professor at the Michigan State University School of Social Work.