About Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is serious business. It is not a laughing matter to feel unwanted pressure by a coworker, boyfriend, friend or loved one. Sexual harassment can even happen if you are married to the person that is harassing you. Here are some things that you should always remember about sexual harassment.

• Sexual harassment comes in several forms. Whether it is someone making sexual advances towards you, requests for sexual favors, verbal or physical sexual conduct or even just pressuring you to have sex, none of this is okay if you say it's not. Regardless of whether someone says you are being a "tease" or playing hard to get, nobody has the right to sexually harass you.


• Sexual harassment can happen to anyone by anyone. Sometimes the person harassing you is someone that you know and trust. If the behavior is unwanted it is considered sexual harassment, even if the victim participates in the action. Unwelcome attention can come about in any way. Do not ever let anyone tell you that the reason they are doing it is because of your actions such as the things you say, how you dress or what you are doing.


• Sexual harassment comes in many forms: rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, unwanted pressure for sexual favors, unwanted deliberate touching, pinching, or cornering you to make you feel uncomfortable, unwanted sexual looks or gestures, unwanted phone calls, letters or sexual materials, and unwanted staring when you walk by or are in the vicinity. If any of these things are happening to you, do not be afraid to tell someone about it.