Students who are targets of sexual bullying are often slow to come forward primarily because of embarrassment , denial , and fear of the perpetrator. Embarrassment can make victims feel ashamed or humiliated about the situation, which creates a significant emotional barrier to reporting. Denial may occur because victims struggle to accept what happened or do not define the incident as sexual bullying or assault. Fear of retaliation or further harm from the perpetrator also silences many victims. Additionally, victims may be uncertain whether authorities will take their claims seriously or may want to avoid the social consequences of disclosing, such as stigma or family knowledge. These factors, combined with confusion and lack of knowledge on how to report, contribute to the delay in coming forward.