GJ high school student wants grinding to stop at school dances

A Grand Junction high school student is speaking out about behavior she says is unacceptable at school dances.  The high school junior says she won't even go because the kids are out of control.  They're grinding non-stop on the dance floor; something she says school officials refuse to put a stop to.

"I've heard some of the teachers say it's soft porn. And that's what it is, it's soft porn," said Sarah Nelson.  After a bad experience at her first dance, Sarah Nelson hasn't returned; saying what she went through is far too common.?

"These are seniors I didn't know, I was a sophomore. They came up to me and sandwiched me and I felt very violated," she said.  Nelson says she won't go back until the innapropriate behavior stops. She says she's talked to school officials not once, not twice, but three times about the grinding problem but nothing has been resolved.

"Nobody says that you have to go to a dance, the dances are voluntary," said Grand Junction High School Principal Jon Bilbo.  Principal Jon Bilbo says there have been concerns from other administrators about the grinding at school dances, but he says he can't do much unless he knows about it and that is the student's responsibility.

"Girls have felt pressured to grind, and I think we have to address that as well. How do we empower our students to say no, and I think part of that needs to be their individual responsibility," said Bilbo.  So, Sarah Nelson talked to some of her classmates, actually 212 of them to be exact to see how they felt about the grinding situation at school dances; and the results of that survey were quite surprising, even for Sarah.

"Out of the 212 that I surveyed, 82 said they only grind because of pressure or they don't grind," said Nelson.  Nelson says the proof is in the survey results and that school is no place for this type of behavior.

It's a place dedicated for education, it has no place there," she said.  School officials are taking initial steps to try to solve the issue by getting other students involved.

"We've talked to the student council and other organizations that sponsor dances to see how to go about reducing the amount of grinding that's done," said Principal Bilbo.  Nelson wants more though. She's asking for the public's help in getting a zero grinding policy in her school, so she can enjoy a school dance without any worries.?

"No grinding; absolutely no grinding. It's not appropriate for a school dance," she exclaimed.  Nelson hopes by speaking out, others will follow her lead, and won't be afraid to voice their concerns.

Principal Bilbo told us a couple girls were asked to leave Saturday's dance because they were dressed inappropriately.  School officials say there's currently nothing written in the handbook saying what's appropriate dancing; and what's not; but if Nelson has her way that may soon change.

More results from Sarah Nelson's survey: (212 random students surveyed)

20% of students who do not grind report feeling pressure to grind

64% of students have stated they have danced sexually

15% of students report feeling peer pressure to grind

Statements by students:

"people doing the nasty behind the curtains"- female, 17

"people are taking grinding too far, people trying to have sex"- female 17

"teachers who interrupt sexy time"- male, 17