Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
- Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment or education; or
- Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for academic or employment decisions affecting such individual; or
- Such conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with an individual’s academic or professional performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or academic environment.
The following are examples of conduct that may constitute sexual harassment:
- Sexual advances which are unwelcome (this may include situations which began as a reciprocal attraction but later ceased to be reciprocal);
- Sexual gestures;
- Graphic verbal comments of a sexual nature, including such comments about a person’s body, or sexually degrading words used to describe an individual;
- Displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures, cartoons, or posters;
- Verbal abuse of a sexual nature, sexually oriented jokes, innuendoes, obscenities, or sexually suggestive letters, notes or invitations;
- Reprisals or threats after a negative response to sexual advances;
- Academic or employment benefits affected in exchange for sexual favors;
- Physical conduct such as assault, rape, impeding or blocking movements, or unwelcome touching.
See the Harassment policy for information on reporting and complaint procedures.