The Facts: Sexual Harassment
WHAT IS SEXUAL HARASSMENT?
Sexual harassment is any unwelcome/inappropriate sexual behavior expressed at a target, and what is considered unwelcome/inappropriate is determined by the target of the behavior. Forms of harassment can include:
-
• Intentionally brushing up on someone
• Standing/sitting/moving too close to someone despite their discomfort
• Grabbing, massaging, pinching, fondling a person’s body part
• Messing someone’s clothes to expose a body part
• Sending unwanted gifts
• Stalking
-
• Catcalling, name-calling, body shaming
• Dirty or sexist jokes
• Bragging about sexual prowess or history
• Intrusive questions about a person’s sexuality or sexual activity
• Unwanted communication through conversations, phone calls, texts, emails or social media comments
-
• Self-exposure (in person or online)
• Sending sexually explicit images or objects to the target
• Creating and/or distributing sexually explicit images of the target or using the target’s likeness without their permission (e.g., sharing nudes without consent, deepfakes)
• Making obscene gestures
• Taking pictures of the target without their consent
• Leering or staring at the target for long periods of time or while in a vulnerable/private moment (e.g., spying on someone undressing without their knowledge in-person or through a hidden camera)
SEXUAL HARASSMENT: MYTHS VS. REALITY
DUE TO THE COMPLICATIONS AND RISK OF GREATER VIOLENCE AND ABUSE, TRAINED PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE MAY BE REQUIRED. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE PROCEED TO SUPPORT SERVICES.
J O H N S C A L Z I
-
• Canadian Women’s Foundation. “The Facts About Sexual Assault and Harassment.“ Nov 2022.
• Cristall, Jonathan. “What They Don’t Teach Teens: Life Safety Skills for Teens and the Adults Who Care for Them.” Quill Driver Books. 2020.