Content Warning: This section discusses sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment on school grounds lies at the center of What Happened to Rachel Riley? Through this occurrence, the book explores the sense of powerlessness and lack of agency that girls and women can feel over their bodies, the different ways that this manifests, what contributes to it, and how lasting change can happen.

Sexual harassment or the violation of boundaries can take on many different forms. Explicitly, there is the “game” in the book, where the middle school boys touch the girls inappropriately, without their consent, and despite their displeasure. There is also Nik’s experience of being harassed by Bronson, a boy who likes her and refuses to stop calling, texting, or sending her letters. In both situations, the boys center their actions based on their desires. It does not occur to them that the girl on the receiving end of their behavior feels discomfort. There is no insight into or empathy for the girl’s perspective. The complete sidelining of the girls’ right to set boundaries around their bodies is among the things that contribute to the perpetuation of harassment.

Just like there are different ways that harassment can manifest, there are also different factors that contribute to it.