In the Workplace

The definition for sexual harassment originated in the workplace.  It was meant to combat the sexual discrimination of women by their male co-workers.  Anytime a person (male or female) is made to feel uncomfortable or unwelcome in their place of work because others are placing undo attention on their gender or sexuality rather than on their professional qualifications, this is harassment.   

The focus is often on people higher in status behaving inappropriately towards someone below them. The imbalance of power creates a more complicated situation for the victim- but harassment by peers or even customers is also a problem.   

At School

Schools are becoming more careful about sexual harassment between students. What used to be considered slightly annoying but “normal” teen behavior, (snapping bra-straps or whistling at members of the opposite sex) is no longer acceptable in most school environments.  Comments about clothing are also considered sexual harassment in some schools.

The United Stated Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) legally defines sexual harassment as the following:

• Unwelcome sexual advances
• Requests for sexual favors
• Verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature

Which result in:

• The victim feeling that submission to or rejection of the advances will affect their employment.
• The victim’s work performance being interfered with.
• An intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.

Sexual harassment can occur in a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to the following:

• The victim as well as the harasser may be a woman or a man. The victim does not have to be of the opposite sex.
• The harasser can be the victim's supervisor, an agent of the employer, a supervisor in another area, a co-worker, or a non-employee.
• The victim does not have to be the person harassed but could be anyone affected by the offensive conduct.
• Unlawful sexual harassment may occur without economic injury to or discharge of the victim.
• The harasser's conduct must be unwelcome.

Each state may have slightly different sexual harassment guidelines; check your state to find out the exact details. 

Sexual Harassment and You
The old notions of "boys will be boys" type behavior are being discarded these days.  A lot of that old behavior constitutes sexual harassment and can be found in schools, on buses and during extracurricular like sports. There may be adult figures like teachers or coaches who are inadvertently encouraging the behavior (just by staying silent, the message is sent to harassers that their behavior is acceptable!)

It's also not just girls who are being harassed anymore.  People are becoming increasingly aware of boys being harassed.  Boys in surveys have provided such examples as comments on their "size," their sexual experience, being called "gay," or people grabbing of their butts.  The harassment comes both from other boys and from girls.  Boys are less likely to recognize comments and behavior as harassment and are even more unlikely to report it.