What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is any conduct with a sexual connotation that is unwanted by the recipient or degrades persons on the basis of their sex.
Sexual harassment can take different forms, such as:
- lewd, demeaning or disdainful comments or jokes;
- display or distribution of sexist, especially pornographic, material;
- sexual assault, the soliciting of sexual acts, unwelcome physical contact and obtrusive behaviour;
- sexual advances which exploit a relationship of dependency or which are made with a promise of advantages or threat of disadvantages;
- sexual acts and behaviours that are punishable under law.
Is it flirting or sexual harassment? – What are the differences?
Drawing the line between harmless flirtation, friendly relations and sexual harassment can seem difficult at first glance. But there’s a simple rule: the decisive factor is not the intention of the person acting, but how their behaviour is received by the affected person – whether or not one gets too close to them in an unwelcome way.
Flirting …
… is a mutual thing
… is constructive, encouraging
… is desired by both sides
… boosts self-esteem
… triggers joy
… makes everyday work more enjoyable
… respects personal boundaries
Sexual harassment
… is a one-sided approach
… is humiliating, insulting
... is not desired by a person
… undermines self-esteem
… triggers anger
… poisons the working environment
… violates personal boundaries