sexual harassment

Unwanted offensive and persistent conduct of a sexual nature. Originally seen as a personal rather than a social problem, the term appeared in the US in the early 1970s following protests by women's groups about their treatment in the workplace. The term began to be used in the UK in the 1980s. Sexual harassment can be verbal (the most common form) such as teasing, vulgar remarks, requests for dates, sexual innuendoes; non-verbal, such as sexually-suggestive gestures, displaying pornography, throwing kisses; or physical, such as touching or pinching. The most serious incidents are attempted or actual rape, and promised job benefits in exchange for sexual favours. Sexual harassment is generally seen as a way of asserting power and not as motivated by sexual desire or an attempt to form a reciprocal romantic relationship.

It has been estimated that about 90% of those harassed are women, and that more than half of all women will experience some form of it during their working lives. About two-thirds of those harassed feel embarrassed or humiliated and it affects ability to work, interferes with judgement and concentration, and can result in sleep disturbances, loss of self-esteem, poor morale, absenteeism, and resignation. Many companies, universities, schools, and government departments have drawn up formal sexual harassment policies setting out what is and what is not appropriate and making it clear that sexual harassment will not be tolerated and that allegations will be treated swiftly, seriously, and confidentially.

Most sexual harassment cases are prosecuted under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act 1964. The most famous (unsuccessful) case is the accusation of sexual harassment by Anita Hill against Judge Clarence Thomas 1991. In 1985 and 1986 it is estimated that sexual harassment cost the US government $267 million in sick pay, reduced productivity and loss of staff. About 90% of larger US organizations have sexual harassment policies. The number of sexual harassment lawsuits has increased dramatically in recent years: the number of charges filed with the Equal Opportunities Commission rose from 4,000 in 1990 to 15,691 in 1995. From March 1998, it is possible to file ‘same-sex’ harassment claims provided there were a sexual aspect to the bullying.