The success of our efforts to address problems of harassment and discrimination on our campus depends on the cooperation of the entire University community. We must all work together to prevent sexual harassment, and to deter those who may engage in this or any other form of discriminatory behavior. Please take the time to read this brochure and better understand what you can do to help eliminate sexual harassment at UH Hilo. Sexual harassment in an academic environment or in a workplace can threaten a person's academic performance or economic livelihood. It can involve insensitive or thoughtless actions that are offensive to others, or it can involve an intentional abuse of power or authority.
Sexual harassment can involve persons of the same or opposite sex.
Both men and women can be victims of sexual harassment. Sexual innuendo, spreading sexual rumors, sexual put-downs and jokes, remarks of a sexual nature about a person's clothing or body, offensive written notes, sexual propositions, insults, threats. Leering, whistling, suggestive or insulting sounds and gestures, posting sexually denigrating pictures on office walls. Consenting Relations Consenting romantic and sexual relationships between a faculty member and student or between a supervisor and subordinate can lead to charges of sexual harassment. Thus, while such relationships are not expressly forbidden, they are discouraged.