When it comes to sexual harassment, it's often hard to tell what it is, and what it isn't. This section will help you understand more about sexual harassment.
What Does Sexual Harassment Include?
Sexual harassment can be physical or verbal. It includes:
Hostile environment: A hostile environment occurs when another person makes you uncomfortable with staring, whistling, shouting, crude jokes, suggestive touching, stalking, tons of e-mails or phone calls, or any other unwanted contact.
Quid pro quo: This is a Latin phrase that means "something for something." It refers to a situation in which somebody in a position of power over you threatens to give you a bad grade, kick you off a team or not let you play, or get you in trouble if you don't agree to the sexual act. It may also refer to a boss who bribes you with a better job or more pay in exchange for sexual favors. This person is incorrectly using his or her higher status above you, and it is illegal.
In 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments was passed to outlaw gender discrimination and sexual harassment in schools. It also outlawed harassment during school activities like field trips or dances.
How Does Sexual Harassment Feel?
Somebody who is sexually harassed might feel:
Embarrassed
Angry
Helpless
Hopeless
He or she may also have low self-esteem. Most kids also try to avoid situations in which they might encounter the harasser. However, it is better to deal with the problem with an adult's help than to simply avoid it.
Flirting vs Sexual Harassment
There is a difference between flirting and sexual harassment.
Flirting
Sexual Harassment
Flirting
Many times, flirting is welcome attention. It goes both ways, and both people enjoy it. Flirting doesn't make you feel bad. It's perfectly fine for kids to flirt with each other in school.
Flirting is OK because it can be between two classmates who are both doing the flirting, and no one is being dishonoured. But it is not OK for adults to flirt with kids. In fact, it is illegal for adults to flirt with kids.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is attention or actions that are not wanted and make you feel bad. If somebody flirts and it is unwanted, ask him or her to stop. If they don't stop, it is considered harassment.
It is illegal to harass somebody.
The key difference between flirting and sexual harassment is that sexual harassment is unwelcome. The contact was not invited or accepted. It is one-sided because only one of the people in the situation wants to be in that situation. It does not matter how the harasser says he or she "meant it"; it only matters how it makes you feel.
Sexual harassment is never OK, and nobody ever deserves it. If you are harassed, be sure to report it. If a friend is harassed, talk to them and make sure they report it. The harasser needs to be stopped.
Information leaflet written By: Teens participating in the Summer Wellness Programs
Reviewed By: Nancy Brown, Ph.D.
Last Reviewed: October 2013
YOU ARE READING
Is This Abuse #Nomore #MeToo
Non-Fiction***FREE GUIDE***Want to know more about sexual consent, abuse or deal with triggers, check out these leaflets or speak to someone that can help from the contact list. This publication helps you recognise, Warning signs and red flags Sexual abuse a...
