“Hot Case-workers and Squint-eyed Whores” - Sexual Harassment of Norwegian Social- and Health Care Students in Practical Training

Abstract

Sexual harassment is a societal challenge. Youth, women, students, and health care professionals are some of the groups most at risk for experiencing sexual harassment. In this study, we examine how higher education institutions and practice institutions handle sexual harassment and how students in practical training experience and cope with sexual harassment. A survey and in-depth interviews were conducted among nursing students and social work students at one Norwegian university. Our results indicate that students experience sexual harassment during practice that is an obligatory part of training, that guidance and follow-up are often lacking, and that they experience negative consequences from these incidents. We also identified a range of strategies used to cope with SH, strategies that are not necessarily compatible with a sound development as a health care professional.