Middle school sexual harassment, violence and social networks.

Objectives: To pilot a study of social networks informing contextual analyses of sexual harassment and peer violence (SH/PV).

Methods: Seventh and 8th grade students (N = 113) in an urban middle school were surveyed via a Web-based instrument.

Results: Boys and girls reported SH/PV victimization and perpetration at comparable rates. The proportion of nominated friends who reported SH/ PV outcomes was greater in boys' than in girls' social networks. Structural descriptors of social networks were not significant predictors of SH/PV outcomes.

Conclusions: Collection of sensitive relationship data via a school-based Web survey is feasible. Full-scale studies and greater flexibility regarding the number of friendship nominations are recommended for subsequent investigations of potential sex differences.