Abuse means emotional or physical attack. For example, one person may constantly belittle or assault another to gain more power in the relationship. Sexual Harassment Sexual harassment is coercive behavior because it involves the abuse of power for sexual ends or the creation of a hostile environment. Only a person with power over another can commit this kind of harassment. In a hostile environment, someone acts in sexual ways that interfere with a person s performance at school or in the workplace.
Sexual harassment is illegal.
Both males and females can be victims of sexual harassment. Among students, sexual harassment occurs most often when boys are in groups. Their motives often may be to heighten their group status by denigrating girls, rather than based on any particular animosity toward an individual. This chart contrasts sexual harassment and flirting. Harassers may not be aware of the impact of their behavior.