Sexual Harassment - Guidelines for Complainants
Sexual harassment is an unwelcome sexual advance, unwelcome request for sexual favours and other conduct of a sexual nature in which a reasonable person would anticipate that the person being harassed would be offended, humiliated or intimidated. Any sex-related language, action or physical contact that is unwelcome may constitute sexual harassment. A sexually hostile environment will also constitute sexual harassment which takes place in the form of an environment where there are actions, language or pictures that makes a person feel sexually threatened or harassed.
Sexual harassment does not have to be intentional or aimed at any particular subject and may be explicit or implicit. Sexual harassment may occur between persons of the same sex or opposite sex. The unwelcome behaviour needs not be repeated or continuous. A single incident may be sufficient to constitute sexual harassment.
The following are some examples of sexual harassment acts:
- Repeated attempts to make a date, despite being told "NO" each time
- Comments with sexual innuendoes and suggestive or insulting sounds
- Relentless humour and jokes about sex or gender in general
- Sexual propositions or other pressure for sex
- Implied or overt threats for sex
- Obscene gestures or inappropriate touching (e.g. patting, touching, kissing or pitching)
- Offensive communications of a sexual nature (letters, phone calls, faxes, e-mail messages, etc.)
- Displaying sexually obscene or suggestive photographs or literature
- Staring or leering at a person or at parts of his/her body