The Preventing School Harassment (PSH) Survey was a detailed examination of school climate and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender nonconformity. Conducted by the California Safe Schools Coalition in partnership with the Gay Straight Alliance Network, the PSH Survey was carried out over over three consecutive years (2003–2005) and included a total of 2560 middle and high school students in California. Participants included lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth as well as their straight allies. Participants were recruited from Gay-Straight Alliance organizations and LGBT community-based youth groups and centers.

The PSH survey was designed to explore in more detail the links between harassment based on actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender non-conformity, school climate, school policies and practices, and factors related to positive outcomes for students. The survey also provided new data about specific steps schools can take to change a hostile environment. By looking not just at victimization, but also at steps schools can take to change their environment, reduce harassment, and increase the resiliency of those students who are harassed, the survey results point the way to reforms that can improve safety and health for all students.

Other Authors
  1. Molly O’Shaughnessy, M.P.P.
  2. Katherine Heck, M.P.H., University of California - Davis
  3. Christopher Calhoun
  4. Carolyn Laub