Sexual Harassment

Is this Sexual Harassment  Telling sexist jokes at work   Patting your fellow employee  Singing “Your so sexy….”

Sexual Harassment  Unwelcome attention of a sexual nature. sexual  Behavior of mild transgressions and annoyances.  Serious abuses which can even involve forced sexual activity.

Provocative Definition: Serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate. Context: Looking at someone in a suggestive way or making an obscene gesture can be provocative and hurtful.

Sexual Definition: Relating to or associated with sex or the relationship between the sexes. Context: During the teen years, young people become more aware of behavior that is sexual in nature.

Suggestive Definition: Tending to suggest something improper or indecent. Context: Parents often object to songs with suggestive lyrics

Sexual Harassment Definition: Unwanted advances of a sexual nature Context: Touching someone in an inappropriate way is an example of sexual harassment.

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionEqual Employment Opportunity Commission  Approximately 15,000 sexual harassment cases a year

Effects on Victims  Decreased work  Increased absenteeism  Loss of job or career  Objectified and humiliated  Defamation of character and reputation  Loss of trust in environment and people

Sexual Harassment is NOT…  Consensual sexual interaction  Physical affection between friends  Mutual flirtation, joking or teasing

Assignment  Suppose your boss repeatedly tells you, in public, that you have a great figure. While at first your flattered but, when he keeps talking about your figure publicly, you become increasingly uncomfortable. Do you think this is a reason to feel uncomfortable? Is this an example of sexual harassment or positive attention? In our culture, do you think it is easy to confuse the two? Give reasons to support your ideas.