"Sexual harassment is a type of harassment involving the use of explicit or implicit sexual overtones, including the unwelcome and inappropriate promises of rewards in exchange for sexual favors."
Examine the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault, why it occurs, and how to prevent and respond to it.
Consent: Consent is a cornerstone of sexual relationships. People can only engage in sexual activity consensually if they genuinely agree to it, and have the opportunity to say "no" at any point during the encounter.
Power dynamics and Gender: Sexual assault and harassment are often about power and control. Understanding how power dynamics can contribute to harassment or assault is important in learning to prevent such behaviors.
Personal boundaries: It's essential to understand that everyone has personal boundaries and that these boundaries must be respected. It's essential to understand that crossing someone's boundaries is a form of assault.
Objectification: Objectification is when someone is treated as an object for someone else's sexual gratification. Objectification can occur through numerous behaviors, including catcalling, sex trafficking, and other forms of harassment.
Rape culture: Rape culture is the cultural acceptance and perpetuation of rape and related violence. It's important to note that rape culture is not just rape acceptance or normalization. It's a broader social phenomenon in which sexual violence is seen as inherent and pervasive, while survivors of sexual violence are not believed.
Victim blaming: Victim blaming is when someone blames a victim of sexual violence for the assault they experienced, rather than the person who committed the act. Unfortunately, victim-blaming often perpetuates the culture of sexual violence and negatively impacts survivors.
Trauma: Survivors of sexual harassment and assault can undergo severe trauma. It is essential to know the different kinds of trauma one can experience and how to support survivors during their healing journey.
Legal and Expert help: It's essential to know the legal and professional avenues available for dealing with harassment or assault. It's vital to understand the different types of help that can be offered, as well as what steps you can take to seek assistance.
Education awareness: Raising education about sexual harassment and assault is the key to combating these types of behaviors. Taking classes or volunteering for organizations that work to prevent sexual violence and related harassment is a great way to get educated and can contribute to ending this widespread problem.
Intersectionality: Everyone's experiences with sexual harassment and assault vary based on their identity and social location. It's essential to consider how race, class, and other aspects of identity play a role in instances of harassment and assault. Understanding intersectionality can help to break down barriers and empower survivors.
Verbal harassment: This involves inappropriate comments or jokes of a sexual nature.
Physical harassment: This involves inappropriate physical contact, such as unwanted touching or groping.
Non-consensual sexual contact: This involves any sexual contact without the victim’s consent.
Sexual coercion: This involves threats or pressure to engage in sexual acts.
Sexual assault: This involves any sexual activity without the victim’s consent.
Sexual exploitation: This involves any kind of abuse of power for sexual purposes.
Sexual grooming: This involves building a relationship of trust with the aim of exploiting for sexual purposes.
Revenge porn: This involves the sharing of intimate or sexual images without the victim’s consent.
Stalking: This involves persistent unwanted attention that causes fear or distress.
Catcalling or street harassment: This involves unwanted and unsolicited comments or actions towards someone in a public place.
"Sexual harassment can either be physical or verbal, maybe even both."
"Harassment can occur in many different social settings such as the workplace, the home, school, or religious institutions."
"Harassers or victims may be of any sex or gender."
"Laws surrounding sexual harassment generally do not prohibit simple teasing, offhand comments, or minor isolated incidents."
"In the workplace, harassment may be considered illegal when it is frequent or severe, thereby creating a hostile or offensive work environment or when it results in an adverse employment decision."
"Adverse employment decision (such as the victim's demotion, firing or quitting)."
"The legal and social understanding of sexual harassment, however, varies by culture."
"Sexual harassment by an employer is a form of illegal employment discrimination."
"For many businesses or organizations, preventing sexual harassment and defending employees from sexual harassment charges have become key goals of legal decision-making."
"Sexual harassment includes a range of actions from verbal transgressions to sexual abuse or assault."
"Harassment can occur in many different social settings such as the workplace, the home, school, or religious institutions."
"Harassers or victims may be of any sex or gender."
"Laws surrounding sexual harassment generally do not prohibit simple teasing, offhand comments, or minor isolated incidents."
"In the workplace, harassment may be considered illegal when it is frequent or severe, thereby creating a hostile or offensive work environment or when it results in an adverse employment decision."
"The legal and social understanding of sexual harassment, however, varies by culture."
"Harassment can occur in many different social settings such as the workplace, the home, school, or religious institutions."
"Sexual harassment by an employer is a form of illegal employment discrimination."
"For many businesses or organizations, preventing sexual harassment and defending employees from sexual harassment charges have become key goals of legal decision-making."
"Sexual harassment includes a range of actions from verbal transgressions to sexual abuse or assault."