The battle between the sexes continues, but in a perfect world, there would be no battle, only cooperation.

But the world is imperfect, even in Ames, Iowa.

During the ongoing hearing involving ISU professor Michael Simonson, three women have come forward claiming sexual harassment.

All of these women have testified about painful, embarrassing and potentially damaging events.

The women have faced many obstacles in coming forward with their stories. This signals the importance of speaking up when you feel you have been sexually harassed.

In America’s educational system, it can be difficult for women to speak up against their accused violators.

There are external factors that may hinder women from speaking out.

Take the fact that 95 percent of all educational administrators are men. In order to file complaints, women must battle the power system and may face unsympathetic men who have never felt what they are feeling or simply don’t understand.

And speaking up in the educational system may be potentially damaging to a woman’s future education and career.

It’s not easy to tattle on someone who determines a part of your future.

These factors come on top of the obvious internal factors in bringing up sexual harassment charges.

Women must deal with feelings of shame or guilt and may face people eager to place blame on the alleged victim.

Although the battle may be difficult, unless people continue to stand up, sexual harassment will further tarnish the educational system.

That is why people need to stand up for themselves if they feel they’ve been harassed. Do it not only for yourself, but for others.