Understanding Sexual Harassment

A Work Based Learning Center PresentationJoanne Schiller, WBLC Coordinator

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Exploring sexual harassment.

• Sexual harassment happens in the workplace.

• It happens in schools.• It might have

happened to you.

What is sexual harassment?

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Let’s find out…

• A boy bumps into a girl and then brushes against her front, but it seems to be deliberate because he’s done it to her before. She reacts sharply and pushes him away. He laughs and says, “It was only an accident!”

Is this behavior sexual harassment?

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Situation two…• A boy and girl are

hugging each other. She laughs and tells him that he’s only after one thing. He laughs, pulls her closer and kisses her. It is clear that they like each other.

Is this behavior sexual harassment?

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Situation three…

• A girl approaches a group of girls. They turn away and ignore her, and exclude her from their group, saying “We don’t want a lezzo like you with us.”

Is this behavior sexual harassment?

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Situation four…

• A group of students graffiti comments in the boys’ toilet about another girl and her sexual experiences.

Is this behavior sexual harassment?

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Situation five…

• You have been trying to avoid contact with the assistant manager at work because he keeps asking you to go out on a date with him. Today, he cornered you and told you that he would not recommend you for a raise until you go out with him.

Is this behavior sexual harassment?

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Sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual behavior which makes a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated.

Definition…

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Unwanted or unwelcome sexual behavior may include:

• Unwelcome touching

• Staring or leering

• Suggestive comments or jokes

• Sexually explicit pictures, posters, screensavers, calendars

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It may also include:

• Unwanted invitations to date• Requests for sex• Intrusive questions• Insults, name-calling or

taunts based on sex• Derogatory graffiti• Sexually explicit e-mails or text

messages

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Still unsure? Apply these steps.

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What’s so wrong about sexual harassment?• Sexual harassment is a form of

bullying• Degrading comments hurt

others• Using insults is a way of

exerting power over another person

• People have the right to feel safe in school and at work

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Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Sexual Harassment is illegal.

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Unwelcome sexual behavior is considered harassment when …

• it interferes with an individual’s work performance

• it creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment

• rejection of this conduct affects an individuals employment

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Victims can be

• Women or men

• The same sex as the harasser

• Anyone affected by the offensive conduct

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Harassers can be

• Male or female

• Young or old

• Your classmates or co-workers

• Your supervisor or boss

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Unlawful sexual harassment

• may occur without economic injury to or discharge of the victim

The harasser’s conduct must be unwelcome.

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What can you do?

• Help create school and work places free from harassment

• Make people aware by confronting offensive behavior

• Get help from a teacher, friend, principal or supervisor

• Contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

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You may learn more about this topic at the following websites:

• www.eeoc.gov/facts/fs-sex.html

• www.eeoc.gov/types/facts/fs-sex.html

• http://www.hreoc.gov.au/youthchallenge/unit4/teaching.html

The End.