Sexual harassment

In theory

Sexual harassment can include a number of behaviours such as unwelcome and unwanted sexual advances and requests for sexual favours, but it can also entail other forms of verbal and physical harassment of a sexual nature. As such, sexual harassment can be understood as an overt form of sexism that reinforces patriarchal gender norms within the university as a work and study place. When the behaviour of a sexual nature violates a person’s dignity and creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or study environment, it qualifies as sexual harassment.

In practice

There are three elements that constitute sexual harassment which we can use to identify whether certain behaviour and actions qualify as sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is when the behaviour is of a sexual nature, unwanted/against one’s will and if it violates a person’s dignity and/or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment for them. This can include flirting, sexual gestures or making sexual remarks about a person’s body or appearances, asking a person about their sex life, making sexual ‘jokes’ or sending sexual or pornographic images or content to a person without their consent. Moreover, it can include more physical forms such as touching someone against their will, sexual assault or rape.