Dealing with Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment can take place anywhere, at any time, to anyone. Although many more women report sexual harassment it does happen to men as well. You may be sexually harassed by a neighbor, a co worker, a peer, and even by a stranger. Most often, the harasser is never held accountable for their actions because the person being violated is too embarrassed to say anything.

If someone is sexually harassing you, it's not a dirty secret that you have to hide but a crime that you should expose. Learn some of the ways sexual harassment occurs and what to do if you are being harassed.

WHAT IS SEXUAL HARASSMENT?
Sexual harassment is basically any inappropriate conduct, touching, or use of explicit language and behaviors. What separates sexual harassment from any other type of harassment is the fact it is sexual in nature, and constitutes unwanted advances or demands upon the victim. If as a victim, you tell someone what's going on between you and the abuser the offender most likely will pay for his or her crimes.

Most public places of employment, schools, restaurants, and stores have a policy outlining sexual harassment and it can affect you whether you're an employee or not. If someone is sexually harassing you in any public place there is always someone you can report it to and something can be done about it.

TYPES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual harassment can take place in a number of ways from face to face contact to the use of internet. Text messages and emails containing sexually oriented material and/or photographs can be construed as sexual harassment, even if they are only shared between people of the same sex. Some people may be offended by graphic material and often it is inappropriate for school and work environments.

In a few extreme cases some people were sexual harassed when photographs turned up online that they thought were private. This experience can be especially humiliating when it is accompanied by insulting remarks posted online.

Unwanted or uninvited physical contact can also be considered sexual harassment. Both men and women are guilty of touching each other, sometimes very inappropriately. If anyone is bothering you by rubbing your shoulders, hugging and kissing, or otherwise initiating contact you did not ask for and it makes you uncomfortable, it is sexual harassment.

This kind of sexual harassment can occur anywhere and by anyone. Repeated unwanted advances should be reported to the proper channels immediately. In serious cases, law enforcement will definitely be a part of the process.

Acting out sexuality by making obscene gestures is also considered sexual harassment. Sexual harassment may also be commenting on someone else's body inappropriately, staring at certain parts of the body (both male and female), and asking for sexual favors in return for benefits. Sexual harassment can also be defined as denying, ignoring, harassing, or demoting someone because they are male or female. If you report the harassment, the abuser will be forced to deal with their criminal behavior and possibly face charges.

REPORTING SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual harassment is a serious charge and is not taken lightly by the community, or from a legal standpoint. Businesses that allow sexual harassment to take place and do nothing to stop it are liable for damages which can be quite severe. Sexual harassment that takes place at work may lead to the harasser loose their job, the victim goes through emotional and mental stress, and the employer suffers the consequences by loosing time, money, and productivity.

If you're being sexually harassed at work immediately report it to your boss or human resources. Most places of employment have policies on sexual harassment and some sort of dispute resolution to work out issues. If the harassment is serious the police may be able to make an arrest and you may press charges.

No matter where the sexual harassment occurs, it is important to keep documentation. Keep records of inappropriate meetings, touching, phone calls and emails, sharing of sexually explicit material, and threats that may have been made. When reporting the crime of sexual harassment these documents will help you prove your case. Eyewitness reports are also extremely helpful if you are going after a judgment. Keep a diary of what is going on and document everything.

In school, you may be harassed by another student or even a teacher. Report all cases of sexual harassment to the principal or dean right away before it is allowed to get out of hand. Schools are an ever increasing place for socializing, but that does not mean you have to be subjected to unfair treatment or obscenities. Often, teenagers and young college students seem to live without boundaries thinking it is alright to make inappropriate jokes or touch others without asking. Before doing something that may be construed against you, think about what it is you are doing. Would someone be offended? If the answer is yes, you may want to say or do something else.

BLAME AND SHAME
If you are being sexually harassed, it is not your fault. You may be embarrassed, ashamed, or even scared but there's no reason to blame yourself. If someone is making you uncomfortable stand up and say something. If you are an abuser you need to change your behaviors. Not only is the way a harasser treats people detrimental both emotionally and mentally, it is a crime. If you are repeatedly in trouble for making lewd comments and gestures, inappropriately touching others, or subjecting others to sexually explicit material there are only so many warnings before you'll find yourself in serious trouble. Too often the victims suffer quietly with the shame of this crime and do not report it to authorities. If you or someone you know is being sexually harassed take action before it's too late.