Most definitions of sexual harassment combine three elements. Accordingly, sexual harassment involves unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature, and a perception by the victim that it has become a condition of work, or creates a hostile, intimidating and humiliating working environment. It can involve physical contact, expression of sexual innuendoes, sexually coloured comments and jokes, the exhibition of pornography, or unnecessary and unwanted comments on a person's appearance. There are many examples throughout the world of well-known cases that constitute sexual harassment. In an overwhelming number of cases, the victims are women, but there are more and more cases of men being harassed by women.
Sexual harassment occurs all over the world.
Many studies show that the primary victims are younger women in their first jobs, or women returning to the workplace after a career break. The victim is usually vulnerable, due to age for instance or employment status. The studies are striking. Millions of women are suffering sexual harassment, as we speak. The problem is how to point them out, even though, as I said, the definition is pretty simple.