What is Sexual Harassment Understanding Sexual Harassment in

What is Sexual Harassment? Understanding Sexual Harassment in the United States

Topics We will be Covering • • • Definition of Sexual Harassment Examples of Sexual Harassment Flirting vs. Sexual Harassment Consequences of Sexual Harassment Safety Tips What to do if you are Sexually Harassed

Definition of Sexual Harassment Sexual harassment is unwelcome verbal or physical activity of a sexual nature that makes a person feel offended, humiliated, threatened and/or intimidated.

Examples of Sexual Harassment Sexual Jokes, Comments, Threats Unwanted Physical Contact • • Patting Hugging Kissing Touching Preventing movement Forcing Sexual contact Repeatedly standing or sitting very close to someone • • Making Sexual comments Telling Sexual jokes Repeatedly asking for dates Promising favors in exchange for sex Threatening employment Threatening rape Threatening program termination Sexual Gestures, Looks, Visuals • • • Sending texts or videos with sexual content Making sexual gestures Displaying images in the work place with sexual content Looking at people sexually Whistling at people

What Does Sexual Harassment Look Like?

“Harassment is not about attraction or desirability. It’s about exerting control over people whenever you can. ” Billy. Penn. com

Flirting vs. Harassment Flirting Sexual Harassment Wanted Respectful Fun Between equals Both people enjoy the interaction • Enjoyable • • • Unwanted Disrespectful Scary Involves power and control Only one person enjoys the interaction • Illegal

Are You Making Someone Uncomfortable? Backs away from you Avoids eye contact Never initiates talking or texting with you Repeatedly declines your offer to spend time with you • Body language and words don’t match • •

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Potential Consequences • Loss of position • Temporary suspension • Written/Verbal warning • Program Termination • Shortened Program • Removal from housing Employment Housing Program Legal • Arrest • Citation

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Safety Tips • • • If a situation feels dangerous, leave Do not be afraid to say STOP Do not go alone Lock your doors Travel safely Be cautious at social events

If you are Sexually Harassed: • Tell the person to STOP • Don’t be alone with this person • Write down each incident or take screenshots of messages and images • Tell someone you trust, including your host employer or friend, and your program sponsor • Ask a friend for support • RAINN – Anti-sexual violence organization – 1 -800 -656 -4673 – www. rainn. org • Call 911, if you feel in danger

U. S. Department of State Commitment to Participant Safety Every participant has the right to report incidents of abuse without fear of retaliation. Participant visas and status cannot be revoked by anyone for reporting sexual harassment or assault. Victims of sexual abuse and harassment are protected by U. S. law. • If you are a victim, contact your program sponsor immediately for assistance. • Participants can call the Department of State directly additional assistance at 1 -866 -283 -9090. Complaints can be handled confidentially in sensitive situations.