In institutions of higher education, both the offender and the offender's supervisor can be held liable for acts of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is offensive sexual behavior by persons in authority towards those who can be benefitted or injured in an official capacity. Therefore, it is primarily an issue of abuse of power, not sex. Sexual harassment is a breach of a trusting relationship that should be a sex-neutral and relaxed situation. It is unprofessional conduct and undermines the integrity of the employment relationship.
Sexual harassment is coercive behavior, whether implied or actual.
It is unwanted attention and intimacy in a nonreciprocal relationship. Sexual harassment is an illegal form of sex discrimination. It is a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the federal law prohibiting employment discrimination. Sexual harassment of a student is a violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational institutions receiving federal financial assistance.