Sexual Harassment
What is Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment is unwelcome, unsolicited and non-reciprocated behaviour. It involves the improper assumption of power, either personal or institutional, and may be racial, sexual, religious, academic or based on any other specified grounds. Harassment may take many forms, such as verbal, written or physical. The distress caused can be the same whether the conduct is deliberate or unintent ional. Harassment may arise from the behaviour of an individual or a group.
Sexual Harassment is a general term covering unwelcome sexual behaviour. This could be a demand for sexual activity, unwelcome sexual jokes, or comments about a person's sexual behaviour. It could also be the display of offensive pictures or the use of offensive language in the classroom or workplace.
Mutual flirtation or sexual contact that is desired and freely consented to is NOT sexual harassment. It is not sexual harassment to develop friendships, sexual or otherwise, with staff members or students. Behaviour that is not freely consented to because of fear, intimidation or coercion constitutes sexual harassment because it is unwelcome.
Seeking Advice and Support
A network of Sexual Harassment Advisers (SHAs), trained and experienced in handling harassment complaints and procedures, provide confidential advice to staff and students. An Adviser can:
- help you clarify whether behaviour perceived as offensive in fact constitutes sexual harassment
- explore possible strategies to resolve the difficulty using informal procedures
- advise the person of their rights under relevant legislation
- provide supportive counselling.
If necessary, separate Advisers can provide confidential support and assistance to both the person raising concerns and the person who is the subject of those concerns.
Documents and Resources
- Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures (.html, also available in .pdf format)
- Standing Resolution of the Council: Statement of Policy and Procedures (.html, also available in .pdf and .doc format)
- Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures: Definitions and Scope (.html, also available in .pdf format)
- I think I have been sexually harassed... (.html, also available in .pdf format)
- Someone says I sexually harassed them... (.html, also available in .pdf format)
- Sexual Harassment Guidelines for Supervisors, Managers and Heads of Departments (.html, also available in .pdf format)
- Guidelines for Sexual Harassment Advisors (.pdf)
- Guidelines for Sexual Harassment Conciliators (.pdf)
- Guidelines for Sexual Harassment Investigation Panels (.pdf)
- Sexual Harassment -Who can I talk to? (.pdf, also available in .doc format)
- Freedom from Harassment & Discrimination for Staff & Students Off-Campus (.pdf , .doc)