PARMA, Ohio -- It is a problem that experts say is rampant in elementary and secondary schools across the country -- sexual harassment.

But do you know how to protect your child?

NewsChannel5's Angie Lau reported in Special Assignment that a 16-year-old girl said her self-esteem was ripped to shreds.

"It made me feel like I was a slut," Kristy said.

"Why did it make you feel like a slut? Lau asked.

"Because nobody ever talked to me like that and I didn't like it," Kristy said.

The harassment started for Kristy during a physical education weight-training class last fall, Lau reported.

"Telling me to break up with my boyfriend so I could sleep with him and to give him (bleep) and stuff," Kristy said.

But it got worse. And she finally told her dad.

"He would offer her $5 to give him oral sex, talk about her body, tell her she had to sleep with him. I wanted to hurt somebody. I really did," Kristy's dad, Larry Miller, said.

Under federal law, sexual harassment in schools in illegal and schools are obliged to protect its staff and its kids. If schools don't act, they could face serious liabilities, Lau reported.

Ken Trump is a National School Safety consultant and makes it clear your child has specific rights.

"If a school official doesn't act appropriately on one case, every other potential victim and victimizer in that school will get the message, it's open season," Trump said.

When the school found out about the sexual harassment a procedure was triggered, Lau said.

A harassment report was filed, there was an investigation and a school police officer stepped in for mediation.

"They should expect students to attend school without being harassed in any way -- sexual or otherwise," said Valley Forge High School principal Steele Nowlin.

But how many parents know what their rights are? It's all in the student-parent handbook.

"We try as best we can to educate them , but these handbooks are critically important," said Parma superintendent Dr. Sarah Zatik.

Parma City Schools does have a clear policy that sexual harassment is strictly prohibited. It also details that all reports are documented on a harassment report form. That is to be provided, as soon as possible, to a Civil Rights officer for investigation.

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HANDBOOK: Prohibition Of Harassment

"Building coordinators and principals must ensure that all reports of prohibited conduct are documented on a 'harassment report form.' Furthermore, building coordinators and principals will ensure that every harassment report form is provided, as soon as possible, to the Civil Rights officer for investigation."

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"If someone is not happy at step one with building an investigation, they have another step and another step. And then the third step is to go to the U.S. Department of Education to file a complaint there," Zatik said.

What Kristy did was brave. It takes courage to speak up, because it won't stop unless you say something, Lau said.

"Does he say anything?" Lau asked.

"Not anymore," Kristy said.

Studies show that harassment is a problem for most girls and boys. And experts agree it can quickly turn serious.

So if you're unsatisfied with the way your school handled your case, you can take it to the Office for Civil Rights -- an independent government agency of the U.S. Department of Education with an office in Cleveland.