Repetition of the unwelcome behavior would be viewed as sexual harassment. However, in the case of an unwelcome intimate touch, one occurrence can be sufficient to constitute sexual harassment. When she asks him to stop, he refuses. In the majority of cases women are harassed by men, but harassment by a person of the same sex also takes place as does harassment of men by women. Sexual harassment occurs between co-workers, between students, or even when it is not aimed at one person as long as an entire group feels its effects.
Harassment occurs in a variety of situations.
It occurs when someone is not in a position to refuse a sexual advance or object to a hostile environment without fear of reprisal. It also occurs in a situation when someone in authority fails to curb harassing activity of which he or she has knowledge or has reason to know exists in a setting within his or her control. In cases where a consensual relationship results in an atmosphere laden with favoritism, third parties of either sex can be harassed. Sexual harassment can be as subtle as repeated off-color jokes or as blatant as sexual assault. When acceptance of such unwelcome behavior is the price of hiring, promotions, or grades, it constitutes a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments.