sexual harassment
Last updatedDefinition
Sexual harassment refers to unwanted sexual behavior, including sexual violence, as well as things like catcalling, sexual comments, jokes, and innuendos, touching, “compliments,” or gifting, etc.
Per the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, conduct meets the legal criteria for sexual harassment in the workplace “when it is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile or offensive work environment or when it results in an adverse employment decision (such as the victim being fired or demoted).” However, many people never report their harassment to the EEOC or any other governing body; even if they do report, a court may not always find that the conduct meets the legal standard, even if it has caused great distress. Though sexual harassment is a legal term, many people use it to describe their own experiences without regard to the exact legal definition. When reporting on people’s accounts of experiencing harassment, it is helpful to offer specific descriptions, with attribution, of the behavior they say they experienced. It is also helpful to seek legal advice where appropriate to ensure the best terminology is being used.
With sexual harassment, there is frequently a power imbalance or implied threat involved. In fact, sexual harassment doesn’t need to be motivated by sexual desire at all. Sexual harassment is often about a perpetrator’s desire to feel power over others.
In the context of the workplace, specialized legal terms are sometimes used to categorize harassment. “Quid pro quo harassment” happens when a superior offers advancement opportunities or job rewards in exchange for sexual favors or conduct. A “hostile work environment” is one where someone’s sexual conduct (verbal and/or physical) becomes so persistent or severe that it interferes with the worker’s ability to perform work duties.
“Sexual harassment” can be used as an umbrella term when speaking broadly about the issue, but specifics about the events and behaviors you’re reporting on can provide essential context for any given story.
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Summary
Sexual harassment refers to unwanted sexual behavior, including sexual violence, as well as things like catcalling, sexual comments, jokes, and innuendos, touching, “compliments,” or gifting, etc. Though sexual harassment is a legal term, many people use it to describe their own experiences without regard to the exact legal definition. When reporting on people’s accounts of experiencing harassment, it is helpful to offer specific descriptions, with attribution, of the behavior they say they experienced.