What does sexual harassment entail? With Examples

Sexual harassment involves any form of unwelcome sexual advances, verbal or physical activities of sexual nature, and requests for sexual favors. It can happen in the workplace, learning institutions, worship places, or any other organization.

Sexual harassment is humiliating, intimidating, and offensive. It is an unlawful act that is punishable by law. If you are experiencing sexual harassment anywhere in your circle of life, don’t hesitate to report the unfortunate act to the relevant authorities. A sexual harrassment attorney in San Diego or anywhere close to your location can help you get the help you need.

What Are Forms of Sexual Harassment? Examples

Sexual harassment can be verbal, non-verbal, and physical. Examples are as follows;

Verbal

• Whistling at someone.
• Telling sexual stories, or jokes.
• Asking you about sex fantasies, preferences, or your sex life.
• Making sexual comments about a person’s body posture, clothing, or looks.
• Telling lies and spreading rumors about a person’s sex life.
• Calling a lady using pet names like doll, babe, honey, etc.
• Making kissing sounds around someone.

Non-verbal

• Staring at someone for long in an inappropriate manner.
• Blocking a person’s way when they are walking.
• Sending gifs to someone without their consent.
• Making sexual gestures through body movements.
• Making facial expressions that are sexually related, like winking, smacking lips, and blowing. kisses
• Follow someone wherever they go.

Physical

• Massaging someone around the neck.
• Any form of inappropriate touch.
• Hugging, kissing, or patting without consent.
• An actual attempt of rape or any other sexual assault.

How Can Sexual Harassment Affect You?

There are many ways in which sexual harassment can affect you. For example;

• It can make you less productive at work.
• If you are a student, your school grades may drop drastically.
• You may suffer from frequent headaches because of stress.
•  It can affect your pattern of sleep or lack of sleep completely.
• It can cause anxiety or depression.
• It makes you withdraw from people.
• It can affect your self-esteem and confidence.

What To Do After Experiencing Sexual Harassment?

All humans have a right to live, work and learn freely anywhere in the world. Sexual harassment is against the law and classified as illegal under (The Sex Discrimination Act 1984). If you have been a victim, you can do the following;

Speak Out – Talk to Someone You Trust

Sexual harassment is not an act that you should keep to yourself. You may not be able to deal with the situation alone. Talk to someone you trust, a close friend, or a family member. In a school setup, you can talk to the person in charge of guidance and counseling; they are trained to deal with such issues.

Talk to the Offender

You can try and talk to the person harassing you and express your displeasure. It is a tricky move if the offender is someone you cannot easily relate to well. It is recommended that you use this approach only if you feel safe and comfortable doing so.

Keep Any Form of Evidence

It is crucial to save evidence because it will help you file a complaint. The evidence can be text messages, social media chats or comments, emails, or any form of a note.

Stay Informed

Information is power. Find out the policies or guidelines in place to deal with sexual harassment. Most Schools, workplaces and organizations have policies regarding offenses like sexual harassment. Stay informed to know how to handle the situation.

Final Thoughts

Sexual harassment can be a critical problem if the correct measures are not taken on time. Follow the advice given in this article to deal with the situation in case you are faced with one. You can also get help from relevant authorities.