SEXUAL HARASSMENT SEXUAL HARASSMENT BRIEF

Definition: Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination that involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. (MCO A) SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Background... The Tailhook Association is a non-profit organization supporting the interests of sea- based aviation, with emphasis on aircraft carriers. The word tailhook refers to the hook underneath the tail of the aircraft that catches the arresting wire suspended across the flight deck in order to stop the landing plane quickly.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT In September 1991 the 35th annual symposium in Las Vegas featured a two-day debrief on Navy and Marine Corps aviation in Operation Desert Storm. It was the largest such meeting yet held, with some 4,000 attendees: active, reserve, and retired personnel. According to a Department of Defense report, 83 women and 7 men stated that they had been victims of assault and sexual harassment during the meeting.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT The incident gained national and worldwide media attention and put the U.S. Military (not just the Navy) under a great deal of scrutiny regarding anything related to sexual harassment in DOD workplaces. The scandal effectively ended the career of 14 admirals and more than 200 Naval Aviators

SEXUAL HARASSMENT DOD Directive , signed 18 August 1995, expressly prohibits sexual harassment in the United States Department of Defense. Marine Corps Order (MCO) A further clarifies the Marine Corps Sexual Harassment Prevention Program

SEXUAL HARASSMENT Per MCO A, no Marine will: 1)Commit or allow others to commit sexual harassment 2)Take reprisal action against a person who provides information on an alleged or substantiated incident of sexual harassment 3)Knowingly make a false allegation of sexual harassment 4)While in a supervisory or command position, condone or ignore sexual harassment of which he or she has knowledge

SEXUAL HARASSMENT The key to stopping sexual harassment is leadership: setting the example and treating everyone with dignity and respect. This does not only apply to Officers, SNCOs, and NCOs. It applies to all Marines; police yourself and others if they need it.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT Informal Resolution System: this is the first step to resolving a sexual harassment issue. Marines are expected to be forthright with each other and make an offender aware as soon as the conduct becomes offensive. Another Marine may think that the conduct is “OK” by the offended person, and there may not actually be any malicious intent. In this case, being forthright and simply letting the Marine know that his words or actions offend you will put a stop to it; give each other the benefit of the doubt.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT Informal Resolution System A)Be vocal! B)Stand up for yourself! C)Don’t keep it in!

SEXUAL HARASSMENT If attempts to resolve the situation through the Informal Resolution System have proven inadequate, see your command’s Equal Opportunity Advisor to lodge a formal complaint.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT False or malicious complaints qualify as “False Official Statements”, Article 107 of the UCMJ and can result in disciplinary or administrative action. What does this mean for you? 1)Make absolutely sure you aren’t making the complaint to get back at someone you don’t like. 2)Make sure all your facts are in order and that you aren’t misinterpreting someone’s actions or words.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT Examples of Sexual Harassment: 1) Quid-pro-quo: Latin for “this for that”. In the workplace, implication by a superior that if you do something for them, they will do something for you. Scenario: A staff sergeant is at the base bowling alley having a few beers and bowling with his Marines during a normal social function. As the event goes on, the staff sergeant and an attractive female lance corporal begin to flirt with each other a bit, at which point in time, the staff sergeant, having a few drinks in him, mentions that semi-annual PROs and CONs are coming up, and that he thinks she’ll get good marks.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT Examples of Sexual Harassment: 2) Unwelcome sexual behavior of one or more persons in a workplace that interferes with another person’s work performance. Scenario: In a four-person section, three of the Marines (male and female) engage in a daily pinching game, getting each other back and forth throughout the day. For the three people that engage in the activity, it is not offensive, but the fourth Marine who does not participate finds it hard to concentrate on work when the other three are playing their game.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT Examples of Sexual Harassment: 3) Hostile Environment: Usually a recurring environment fostered in the workplace that may not be trying to be offensive, but is to the people not participating. Scenarios: A) Two Marines having a “who can have the most MAXIM magazine girls” on his corkboard contest, in plain view of a female Marine B) A corporal in the habit of calling females “bitches” C) Two females routinely talking about sexual issues and becoming offended when male Marines within earshot join in the conversation D) A lonely Marine that repeatedly asks acrush on to go out on a date despite multiple previous rejections

SEXUAL HARASSMENT The “Three-Zones” guideline Green Zone: Normal workplace interaction. Comments on professional performance; friendly conversation about a recent concert or sporting event; current events. Yellow Zone: Conversations that may sexualize professional workplace interactions by changing the dynamic from Marine – Marine to Male – Female. Red Zone: Conversations of an obvious sexual nature, i.e. comments on breast size, the merits of thong underwear, comments about another Marine being “hot”, conversations on sexual acts, etc.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT Bottom-line Advice: 1)If you think it might be inappropriate, it probably is. 2)Your personal opinions about the subject are irrelevant. You are a government employee and will follow the rules like everyone else. 3)A sexual harassment claim will cause everyone three levels up the chain of command a serious headache even if it ends up not being true. 4)Don’t crap where you eat.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT QUESTIONS?