As a result, you may think about dropping that course. Your thesis supervisor promises you a reference for a scholarship in return for sexual favours or implies that your academic career will suffer if you refuse. A group of students come to talk to you about their teaching assistant who persistently uses sexually oriented language in class discussions. These students find this offensive, demeaning and inappropriate in a learning environment. Although graduate students are particularly vulnerable to sexual harassment, they can also be harassers.
Teaching assistants are in a power position relative to students in their classes.
If you become romantically or sexually involved with one of your students you may be leaving yourself open to allegations of sexual harassment. You can avoid being accused of harassment by being sensitive to others' feelings and by listening carefully to what they say. If in doubt, ask the person or group if your behaviour or comments make them uncomfortable. Remember that sexist and homophobic language is offensive and try not to use it. Remember that physical contact you mean as friendly and affectionate may not seem that way to someone else.