SEXUAL HARASSMENT What is It?

WHAT IS IT?  Any sexual remarks, statements, or actions one person makes toward another person who does not want them.  Unwanted advances.  Can take place in school and in the workplace.  Is illegal.  Is grounds for discipline in school and termination at work for the offending person.  Is harmful and hurtful to the offended person.

PAY ATTENTION: WHAT IS SEXUAL HARASSMENT? YouTube Video by McGrath Training Systems, Inc. (October 12, 2011) “Describes what constitutes sexual harassment, told from a teen’s point of view.”

PAY ATTENTION: WHAT IS SEXUAL HARASSMENT? VIDEO GUIDE  Sexual Harassment is:  Hostile Harassment is:  Quid-Pro-Quo Harassment is:  Seeing sexual harassment in the video makes me feel:

PAY ATTENTION: WHAT IS SEXUAL HARASSMENT? VIDEO GUIDE  Sexual Harassment is: Unwanted or unwelcomed sexual remarks and/or advances.  Hostile Harassment is: Threatening environment caused by actions of co-workers or company.  Quid-Pro-Quo Harassment is: You can get a [raise, job, new computer] in exchange for favors, usually sexual in nature.  Seeing sexual harassment in the video makes me feel:

IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER The intent of the person making the remarks does not matter. The person on the receiving end of the remark or action decides whether the behavior is offensive.

3 CHARACTERISTICS OF ILLEGAL, HARASSING BEHAVIOR  The behavior must have all three characteristics to be considered illegal and harassing. 1.Unwanted or unwelcomed 2.Causes harm 3.Repeated, pervasive and persistent Source: Boise School District Junior High Curriculum

FLIRTING AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT ARE VERY DIFFERENT! Flirting is...  Fun for everyone involved.  Wanted  Makes you happy  Legal  Flattering  Makes you feel like a winner  Invokes positive feelings Sexual Harassment is...  Invading, demeaning, degrading  Unwanted  Makes at least one person feel sad or mad.  Illegal  Insulting  Makes you feel like a loser  Invokes negative feelings

EXAMPLES OF SEXUALLY HARASSING BEHAVIORS 1.Unwanted touching 2.Verbal comments 3.Name calling 4.Spreading rumors 5.Leers and stares 6.Sexual or dirty jokes 7.Cartoons, pictures, or pornography 8.Using computers or phone to leave sexual messages

MORE EXAMPLES... 9.Gestures with the hands and body 10.Pressures for sexual activity 11.Cornering, blocking, standing too close 12.Conversations that are too personal 13. “Rating” an individual ex scale 14.Obscene T-shirts, hats, pins 15.Massaging the neck or shoulders 16.Touching oneself sexually in front of others

AND MORE EXAMPLES Making kissing sounds 18.Howling, catcalls, whistles 19.Repeatedly asking someone out when he or she isn’t interested 20.Pulling down someone’s pants 21.Facial expressions 22.Lists of students’ names with derogatory sexual comments written about them by other students.

THE VICTIM Source: Boise School District Junior High Curriculum

PHYSICAL EFFECTS Stress-related physical symptoms and problems including:  Acne  Changes in body weight  Colds  Dependence on alcohol or other drugs  Aches and pains  Loss of appetite and/or eating disorders  Ulcers  Sleeplesness

EMOTIONAL EFFECTS  Anxiety  Confusion  Depression  Detachment  Embarrassment  Fear  Feeling Degraded  Feeling Intimidated  Feeling Powerless  Feelings of Dread and Anger  Guilt  Hopelessness  Humiliation  Irritability  Isolation/Withdrawal  Loss of Trust in Others

MORE EMOTIONAL EFFECTS  Low Self-Esteem  Mood Swings  Shame  Stress

SCHOOL PERFORMANCE/EXPERIENCE EFFECTS  Absenteeism  “Acting Out” – behaving inappropriately to get attention  Damaged Reputation  Delayed Graduation  Drop in Quality of School Work  Dropping a Class  Dropping Out of School  Inability to Concentrate  Loss of Friends  Lower Grades  Loss of Trust in Educational System  Switching a Class  Switching Schools  Tardiness  Truancy

FUTURE EFFECTS  Continued Inability to Trust Others  Continued Stress-Related Physical Problems and Symptoms  Loss of Job Recommendations  Loss of Career and Job Opportunities  Loss of Economic Opportunities

JOB-RELATED EFFECTS  Loss of Income Loss of Job and Benefits  Loss of Promotional Opportunities  Reassignment  Dread of Work  Distraction from Tasks  Inability to Work  Drop in Work Quality  Absenteeism  Tardiness

WHAT IF YOU ARE THE VICTIM?

ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICIES