Sexual harassment includes any unwelcome sexual attention. It is usually repeated behavior, but could be one serious incident. Although such forms of harassment may be unintentional, words and behaviors may be harassing if they are heard and seen as such by others. Sexual harassment usually occurs in situations where one person has power over another, but it can also occur between equals. Both men and women can be sexually harassed, though women are most often victimized.
Sexual harassment can also occur between members of the same sex.
Sexual harassment is a form of sexual discrimination that is illegal under federal and state law. Through case law, the courts continue to define sexual harassment, the responsibilities of employers and schools, and the remedies available to victims. Every campus within the University of Maine System has dealt with sexual harassment problems. When charges of sexual harassment are substantiated after a thorough investigation, severe discipline may result. Many concerns have been resolved in a way that satisfied the individuals concerned using informal intervention or advice.