SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual harassment is any unwanted sexual behaviour, attention, comments, advances, or conduct that makes someone feel uncomfortable, intimidated, unsafe, humiliated, or threatened.
Sexual harassment can happen in person, online, at work, at school, in public spaces, within relationships or social settings.
The key factor is that the behaviour is unwanted or non-consensual.
WORKPLACE HARASSMENT
Sexual harassment in the workplace occurs when unwelcome sexual behaviour affects a person's ability to work or creates a hostile environment.
Examples:
- Sexual jokes
- Inappropriate touching
- Requests for sexual favours
- Suggestive messages or emails
- Comments about a person’s appearance
- Offensive sexual images
- Threatening someone's job if they refuse advances
Impact:
It can affect performance, confidence, mental health, and career progression.
SCHOOL HARASSMENT
Sexual harassment at school can occur between learners, teachers, staff members, or visitors.
Examples:
- Sexual comments
- Inappropriate touching
- Sexual rumours
- Pressuring someone for sexual images
- Online harassment among learners
- Repeated unwanted advances
Impact:
School harassment can affect academic performance, attendance, self-esteem, and emotional wellbeing.
STREET HARASSMENT
Street harassment involves unwanted sexualised behaviour in public spaces.
Examples:
- Catcalling
- Sexual comments
- Following someone
- Whistling
- Gestures of a sexual nature
- Public intimidation
Impact:
Many survivors alter their behaviour, routes, clothing, or daily activities to avoid harassment.
ONLINE HARASSMENT
Online harassment takes place through digital platforms and social media.
Examples:
- Sexual messages
- Unwanted explicit images
- Cyberstalking
- Sexual threats
- Non-consensual sharing of intimate content
- Online intimidation
Impact:
Online abuse can have real-world emotional, psychological, and safety consequences.
UNWANTED SEXUAL ADVANCES
Unwanted sexual advances occur when a person persistently seeks sexual or romantic attention after it has been rejected or when consent has not been given.
Examples:
- Repeated requests for dates
- Persistent flirting after refusal
- Pressuring someone for sexual activity
- Sexual messages after being asked to stop
- Attempts to create obligations in exchange for attention
WARNING SIGNS CHECKLIST
Ask yourself:
- Does someone's behaviour make me feel uncomfortable or unsafe?
- Have I clearly indicated that the attention is unwanted?
- Is someone ignoring my boundaries?
- Am I receiving repeated sexual comments or messages?
- Is someone using their position of authority to pressure me?
- Am I changing my behaviour to avoid a particular person?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may be experiencing harassment.
REMEMBER
A person has the right to say "no", change their mind, or choose not to engage.
Respecting boundaries is essential.