SSIS - Sexual Harassment

A sexuality resource for the Brandeis University community and beyond...

The American Heritage Dictionary defines sexual harassment as:

The making of unwanted and offensive sexual advances or of sexually offensive remarks or acts, especially by one in a superior or supervisory position or when acquiescence to such behavior is a condition of continued employment, promotion, or satisfactory evaluation.

In addition to offensive remarks and behavior, unwanted physical contact, requests for sexual favors accompanied by implicitly or explicitly promised rewards or threatened punishment, and attempted or completed sexual assault are all further forms of sexual harassment. While traditionally people associate women as being the victims of sexual harassment by their male superiors, sexual harassment can affect anyone, regardless of sex or sexual orientation. There may or may not be a relationship where one person has power over the other in the case of sexual harassment. On a college campus, victims may be men or women, students or faculty or staff, superiors or subordinates or peers.

In many cases sexual harassment can be a subtle and unconscious act. Joking about sex frequently occurs and can become insulting or demeaning. So when does it cross the line and become sexual harassment? Whenever the comments create a hostile, intimidating, pressured environment, it is considered sexual harassment.

What can you do if you are sexually harassed? Every situation is different and the strategy that you choose will depend on a variety of factors. Remember that you have options, and you are not to blame for the harassment. Whether you decide to report the incident or not, it is a good idea to document what happened by keeping a detailed diary of dates, times, and places. It may also be helpful to talk with others who can help you in generating a response. Find someone who you feel safe and comfortable confiding in, be it a friend, teacher, administrator, or anonymous hotline (See on campus resources for a complete listing). Should you decide to report an incident occurring at Brandeis, the University has a policy for formally filing a complaint against the harasser.

Information about these procedures can be found on the web at www.brandeis.edu/departments/affirmaction/griev.html.

See http://www.brandeis.edu/departments/affirmaction/ for a complete description of Brandeis' policies regarding sexual harassment.