What Qualifies as Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment is a pervasive problem that affects people of all genders and ages. It can occur in many different settings, from the workplace to social situations. But how do you know if you’re experiencing sexual harassment? Our San Diego sexual harassment attorney informs you of the different types of sexual harassment and provides examples to help you better understand what constitutes sexual harassment.
Verbal Harassment
Verbal harassment includes comments, jokes, or questions of a sexual nature. Some examples of verbal harassment include:
- Sexual jokes or innuendos
- Comments about someone’s body or appearance
- Asking personal questions of a sexual nature
Physical Harassment
Physical harassment includes unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature. Some examples of physical harassment are:
- Touching, grabbing, or fondling without consent
- Unwanted sexual advances
- Sexual assault or rape
Visual Harassment
Visual harassment includes the display of sexually suggestive or explicit images or videos. Some examples of visual harassment include:
- Displaying sexually explicit images or videos
- Sending sexually explicit emails or texts
- Staring at a person’s body in a sexual way
Quid Pro Quo Harassment
Quid pro quo harassment occurs when someone in a position of power demands sexual favors in exchange for a job, promotion, or other employment benefit. Some examples of quid pro quo harassment may be:
- A supervisor demanding sexual favors in exchange for a promotion
- Threatening to fire someone if they don’t engage in sexual activity
Hostile Environment Harassment
Hostile environment harassment occurs when an individual is subjected to a pattern of unwelcome sexual conduct or comments that create a hostile or intimidating environment. Some examples of hostile environment harassment include:
- Repeatedly making sexual comments or jokes
- Displaying sexually suggestive or explicit images in the workplace
- Making unwanted sexual advances or touching
Who Can Sexual Harassment Affect?
Sexual harassment can affect anyone regardless of their gender, age, race, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic. Both men and women can be victims of sexual harassment, and it can occur in any setting, including the workplace, schools, public spaces, and online.
Some examples include:
- Women can be harassed by men
- Women can be harassed by other woman
- Men can be harassed by other men
- Men can be harassed by women
- Harassment may occur between co-workers
- Harassment may occur between a supervisor and subordinate
These are only a few examples of who sexual harassment can affect. If you feel you’ve been dealing with sexual harassment, call our San Diego lawyer today at 619-985-4462.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you witness sexual harassment happening to someone else, take action to support the victim and stop the harassment. You can speak up and tell the harasser that their behavior isn’t acceptable, or report the harassment to a supervisor or other authority figure.
It’s also important to listen to and support the victim, and to encourage them to report the harassment if they feel comfortable doing so.
Organizations can take several steps to prevent sexual harassment, including implementing clear policies and procedures for reporting and addressing harassment, providing regular training on sexual harassment prevention, and fostering a culture of respect and inclusion.
An organization can also conduct regular assessments of its workplace culture to identify and address potential issues related to sexual harassment. By taking proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment, organizations can create safer and more inclusive environments for their employees and members.
Examples of behaviors that may be considered sexual harassment include unwanted touching or physical contact, sexually suggestive comments or gestures, sexual jokes or images, pressure for sexual favors, and other unwanted advances or attention. It’s important to note that sexual harassment can take many forms and may not always be overtly sexual in nature.