SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual Harassment: What is it? What does it look like?
With all of the stories coming forward regarding sexual harassment in the news, it may have some of us thinking…wait, was I harassed?
To help you answer your question and bring some clarity to the subject, we will be talking about what sexually inappropriate behaviors are and what they can look like.
Broadly, sexual harassment means it is “unlawful to harass a person because of that person’s sex. Harassment can include “sexual harassment” or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature”. (1)
It should be said, however, that harassment does not have to be sexual, it can “include offensive remarks about a person’s sex” when either: (1)
- The conduct is made as a term or condition of an individual’s employment, education, living environment or participation in a University community. (2)
- The acceptance or refusal of such conduct is used as the basis or a factor in decisions affecting an individual’s employment, education, living environment, or participation in a University community. (2)
- The conduct unreasonably impacts an individual’s employment or academic performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment for that individual’s employment, education, living environment, or participation in a University community. (2)
Harassment can have a serious effect on your wellbeing.
Some examples of sexual harassment include:
Unwanted sexual statements
- Sexual or dirty jokes
- Comments on one’s body or clothes
- Rumors spread about one’s sexuality
- Speaking of one’s sexuality in front of others
- Displaying sexually explicit drawings, pictures, or written material
- Sexual statements made in person
- Sexual statements made in writing
- Sexual statements made through email, instant messaging, blogs, web pages, etc.
- Conduct that would cause discomfort or humiliation, or both
- Speculations on past sexual experience
- Sexual innuendos
- Suggestive remarks or gestures
- Verbal or written language specific to gender that is offensive or degrading
Unwanted personal attention
- Pressure for sexual favors through letters, calls, or visits
- Pressure for unnecessary personal interaction
- Pressure for encounters where sexual or romantic intent is evident and unwanted
Unwanted physical or sexual advances
- Touching, kissing, hugging, fondling, touching for others to view
- Sexual assault
- Unwanted intercourse or other sexual activity
- Unnecessary brushing up against a person’s body
How common is sexual harassment?
Researchers from the Trades Union Congress and the Everyday Sexism Project found that 52% of women had experienced unwanted behavior at work including groping, sexual advances and inappropriate jokes. Among women and girls aged 16-24, the proportion reporting sexual harassment rose to 63%. (3)
And these numbers are from those who report it, which is roughly 1 in 5 women. There are still 4 out of 5 women that experience sexual harassment and do not report it. (3)
Why don’t more women report it?
According to the TUC report, 80% found that nothing changed and 16% said that the situation worsened afterwards. (3)
Unfortunately, there can be a lot of fear for your job and livelihood on the line and a mentality with some men that it’s just “boys being boys” and “business as usual”.
Some women perceive it as something you have to endure in your job until you transfer to another department.
Some women feel that if they voiced their complaints, they may be passed over for the next promotion or even fired.
Some women cannot remember the assault exactly and worry about how to prove it.
In each situation, most women who don’t’ speak out feel that they did not have a choice. They may even have felt a sense of guilt for not doing something or saying something, they may feel depression, or anxiety.
But know this.
Help is here.
You are in control.
They were wrong, not you.
Get help today! Here at Gateway 2 Counseling, we provide online counseling for only $49. With just a click, you get the help you want, anywhere, anytime. Please, enter our gates to a brighter tomorrow where you are in control. www.gateway2counseling.com
Harassment can have a serious effect on your wellbeing.