Sexual Harassment
Sexual Harassment
Sexual
Harassment is unwanted and un-welcomed sexual behavior that interferes with
your human rights. It is a serious social problem that affects millions of
Americans in many settings including schools and the workplace.
Agreement isn't
needed. The target of sexual harassment and the perpetrator do not have to
agree about what is happening. Sexual harassment is defined by the person being
targeted.
Sexual harassment
can happen once or many times. Being the target of sexual harassment may make it
very scary to go to work or school or hard to concentrate when you are there.
Sexual harassment
can take the form of on-going unwanted sexual attention that creates an
atmosphere in which the target suffers from the effects of sexual harassment on
a daily, hourly, or almost constant basis resulting in an intolerable working or
educational environment.
Sexual harassment
may also take the form of quid pro quo--an offer of advancement if a co-worker
will agree to sexual contact or the threat of job loss if a co-worker refuses to
engage in sexual contact.
Sexual
Harassment can include:
- comments about
your body, clothing, or sexual activities
- sexual jokes,
remarks, or teasing
- requests or
demands for sexual favors that come with hints or stated threats about your
job
- leering or
staring at your body
- displays of
pornographic or sexually suggestive materials
- creating a
hostile work environment
- brushing up or
bumping against your body
- pulling
someone's clothes off
- pulling your own
clothes off
- being forced to
kiss someone or do something sexual
What Can you do
about Sexual Harassment?
Don't ignore it. It
won't go away!
If you're unsure
whether a certain type of behavior is sexual harassment or want more
information, contact your local crisis center.
Learn your rights.
Contact your supervisor, personnel manager, Employee Assistance Program or your
teacher, professor, principal, or counselor and learn about the policies on
sexual harassment.
Speak up about
sexual harassment you experience or witness.
Tell someone and
keep telling until you find someone who believes you and will support you.
Keep detailed
records, documenting any incidents of harassment you experience. Enlist
witnesses. Keep copies of all written materials, including e-mails.
Let the harasser
know that you don't like the behavior--either in person or in writing. Be
specific about the incidents of unwanted sexual attention. (Keep a copy if you
write a letter).
Do not blame
yourself. Harassment is unwanted and can make you feel trapped, confused,
helpless, frustrated, embarrassed, and scared. You certainly did not ask for any
of those feelings or the behavior that caused them.
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