SEXUAL HARASSMENT

 ABSTRACT

         Sexual harassment is an epidemic throughout global higher education systems and impact individuals, groups and entire organization in profound ways. Precarious working conditions, hierarchical organization  a normal of gender-based violence, toxic academic  a culture of silence and a lack of active leadership are all key features enabling sexual harassment. The aim of this study is to review scientific knowledge on sexual harassment in higher education. 

INTRODUCTION

Sexual harassment is a type of harassment  involving the use of explicit or implicit sexual overtones, including the unwelcome or inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors. Sexual harassment includes a range of actions from verbal transgressions to sexual abuse or assault. Harassment can occur in many different social settings such as the workplace, the home, school, churches, etc. Harassers or victims may be of any gender.

In most modern legal contexts, sexual harassment is illegal. Laws surrounding sexual harassment generally do not prohibit simple teasing, offhand comments, or minor isolated incidents—that is due to the fact that they do not impose a "general civility code." In the workplace, harassment may be considered illegal when it is frequent or severe thereby creating a hostile or offensive work environment or when it results in an adverse employment decision (such as the victim's demotion, firing or quitting). The legal and social understanding of sexual harassment, however, varies by culture.

Sexual harassment by an employer is a form of illegal employment discrimination.For many businesses or organization preventing sexual harassment and defending employees from sexual harassment charges have become key goals of legal decision-making.

 As an overall social and economic effect every year, sexual harassment deprives women from active social and economic participation and costs hundreds of millions of dollars in lost educational and professional opportunities for mostly girls and women. However, the quantity of men implied in these conflicts is significant.

What does it include?

Sexual harassment can include someone:

• touching, grabbing or making other physical contact with you without your consent
• making comments to you that have a sexual meaning
• asking you for sex or sexual favors
• leering and staring at you
• displaying rude and offensive material so that you or others can see it
• making sexual gestures or suggestive body movements towards you
• cracking sexual jokes and comments around or to you
• questioning you about your sex life
• insulting you with sexual comments
• committing a criminal offence against you, such as making an obscene phone call, indecently exposing themselves or sexually assaulting you.

When does sexual harassment become sexual assault?

If someone is sexually harassing you in a way that causes you to feel humiliation, pain, fear or intimidation, then this can be considered sexual assault. If you believe you’ve been sexually assaulted, you may want to find out more .

How sexual harassment can affect you

If you’re being sexually harassed, you might:

• feel stressed, anxious or depressed
• withdraw from social situations
• lose confidence and self-esteem
• have physical symptoms of stress, such as headaches, backaches or sleep problems
• be less productive and unable to concentrate.

What can you do?

No one deserves, or asks, to be sexually harassed. Everyone has the right to work and live in an environment that’s free from harassment, bullying, discrimination and violence. Sexual harassment is illegal (under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984).

Here are some things you can do:

Talk to the offender

You can try resolving the situation quickly yourself by explaining to the person who is harassing you that their behavior is unwanted.

Be informed

If you’re being harassed at work, school or uni, find out what their policies and procedures are for preventing and handling sexual harassment.

Keep a diary

Document everything that happens, including when it occurred, the names of any people who saw what happened, and what you've done to try to stop it.

Save any evidence

Keep text messages, social media comments, notes and emails. This evidence can help if you make a complaint.

Get external information and advice

For work situations, check Lawstuff to find the union representing your industry. They can give you advice on your options and your rights. Someone can also act on your behalf if you don't feel comfortable pursuing the issue alone. They should respect your confidentiality. If you’re concerned about this, ask them what their official privacy policy is.

Tell someone

Sexual harassment isn’t something you need to deal with on your own. In the workplace, it might be worth talking to your HR manager, who will be able to help you decide what to do. You might also want to talk to a trusted friend or family member about what's going on.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, I would like emphasize that sexual violence poses an obstacle to peace and security. It impedes women from participating in peace and democratic processes and in post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation. As a tool of war it can become a way of life: once entrenched in the fabric of society, it lingers long after the guns have fallen silent. Many women lose their health, livelihoods, husbands, families and support networks as a result of rape. This, in turn, can shatter the structures that anchor community values, and with that disrupt their transmission to future generations. Children accustomed to acts of rape can grow into adults who accept such acts as the norm. This vicious cycle must stop, as we cannot accept a selective zero-tolerance policy. Today's adoption of resolution 1960 (2010), on sexual violence, is an important step in that direction. It is for that reason that Slovenia joined in co-sponsoring it.