Sexual Harassment

How to identify it. How to cope.


	Sexual Harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title XI of the Education Amendment of 1972. Unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:
	Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment, grade, letter of recommendation, etc.; Submission to or rejection of the unwelcomed conduct is used as the basis for employment decisions or education decisions; or Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's work or school performance or of creating a hostile, intimidating, offensive work or educational enviroment.


	Sexual harassment happens when one person uses sexual words, gestures, looks, or touches that may make another person feel uncomfortable or unsafe. It is usually done on purpose, but sometimes people don't even know they are sexually harassing another person. Anyone can be harassed. Anyone can be a harasser.

	Pinching Grabbing Touching or rubbing against a person Standing too close Patting Hugging Kissing Bumping into someone on purpose

	Threats Insults Sexually offensive jokes or comments Pressuring someone for a date Whistles or rude noises Spreading sexual rumors

	Displaying sexual pictures Making rude gestures Staring at someone's body

Sexual harassment and flirting are NOT the same. Flirting happens when both people agree to flirt, and both enjoy it. Harassment makes one person feel uncomfortable and unsafe.

Ignoring sexual harassment will not make it stop. In some cases, ignoring it will only make it worse because the harasser may think that the behavior is okay.

Sexual harassment is against the law. It takes away your right to be in a safe, comfortable environment.

Harassment is NEVER the fault of the victim. Some people harass others when they feel badly about themselves or need to have power and control over others.

Even if the person experiencing the behavior does not seem to be upset, it is sexual harassment if it makes others feel unsafe or uncomfortable.


	Stand up for yourself.
	Look the person in the eye and speak in a strong clear voice.
	Tell the harasser to STOP!
	Make it clear that you don't like the behavior and you want it to stop.
	Talk to someone you trust.
	Ask for help, support and guidance.
	Write down the details of what happened.
	Be sure to include who did it, what the person did, when it happened, where it happened and who saw it.
	File a formal complaint if the harassment continues.
	Depending on the situation, you may have the right to file a complaint with one of the following: West Virginia Human Rights Commission 304-558-2616 West Virginia Department of Education 304-558-3401 United States Department of Education 215-656-8541
	Take legal action.
	When no other recourse exists, you may choose to file a lawsuit under Federal law Title XI.

National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE