"Sexual abuse" consists of any sexual act that violates criminal law. "Sexual harassment" is "unwanted sexual attention from administrators, teachers, peers, or school staff " (Hyman et al., 1997). Sexual abuse and/or harassment can occur between school staff and students or between students. Regarding the incidence of sexual abuse by educators, one source reports that 1 percent of elementary students and 3 percent of secondary students will experience sexual advances from school staff; however, reliable statistics are not accessible. Statistics on sexual harassment show its widespread occurrence in schools. No studies were found on why school staff sexually abuse and harass students; staff are involved in approximately 20 percent of sexual-harassment incidents in schools according to the American Association of University Women (AAUW). The 1993 AAUW study did obtain information from students on their reasons for sexually harassing other students. The most common reason was "It's just a part of school life." A high percentage of students abused or harassed by school staff or other students do not report incidents due to a fear of being different, the belief that nothing can be done, the fear of unpredictable consequences from reporting, and a sense of powerlessness. Some effects of sexual abuse and harassment at school are avoidance of school, a decline in school performance, and a desire to change schools. Effective intervention involves education, an effective complaint procedure, a positive school climate, and help for youth who persist with harassing behaviors. Virginia's school data on sexual abuse pertain only to student perpetrators. Data are self-reported from school divisions throughout the State. A table of data on discipline, crime, and violence for 2003-2004 in Virginia schools