Sexual Harassment

How to deal with it?
Remember: it is the effect on the victim, not primarily the intention of the offender,
which defines an action as sexual harassment. One standard to keep in mind is:
"behavior that a reasonable woman would find offensive".
Sexual harassment is not funny. It is not "just the way things are between men and women". Victims are not "just too sensitive" or people who "can't take a joke".
There are many ways to deal with sexual harassment.
Ignoring it doesn't stop it.
Don't just hope it will stop. By taking action and seeking advice and support to
resolve the issue, formal proceedings can often be avoided.
Allow yourself to get angry. Use the energy of your anger to help you focus and
take action.
Tell someone. Discuss the behavior with a friend, professor, classmate, counselor, or appropriate University personnel. You may find that you are not alone in your
experience, and you can get help in planning an appropriate way to deal with it.
Let the harasser know. Be clear and direct in addressing unwanted or offensive
behavior. Sometimes the harasser does not know the effects of the behavior on
others. It often helps to write a letter to do this. Be clear that you want the?
behavior to stop.
Keep a record. Make notes of specific behaviors and comments, times and dates,
your responses, and any witnesses.
Effects
Sexual harassment affects victims in many ways, often not noticeable to others.
Some common effects are:
Victims feel powerless to stop the situation. They often fear retaliation, for example
with grades or recommendations. They fear that their complaints will not be taken
seriously, or that they will be perceived as causing trouble.
Victims often blame themselves, and fear that others will also blame them, even
though it is the harassing person's authority or influence that has been misused.
Victims often change academic plans. They drop courses, change majors, drop out of school, change residence, avoid advisors, or neglect academic commitments or
responsibilities to avoid an offending person.
Victims often have physical symptoms of stress, such as stomach problems or
headaches. They can also become depressed, moody, or irritable without knowing
why.
Victims often suffer lower self-esteem, self-respect and self-confidence.
Victims are often confused about what is happening or what could be done about it.