Sexual harassment occurs between co-workers, between students, or even when it is not aimed at one person as long as an entire group feels its effects. Harassment occurs in a variety of situations. It occurs when someone is not in a position to refuse a sexual advance or object to a hostile environment without fear of reprisal. It also occurs in a situation when someone in authority fails to curb harassing activity of which he or she has knowledge or has reason to know exists in a setting within his or her control. In cases where a consensual relationship results in an atmosphere laden with favoritism, third parties of either sex can be harassed.
Sexual harassment can be as subtle as repeated off-color jokes or as blatant as sexual assault.
When acceptance of such unwelcome behavior is the price of hiring, promotions, or grades, it constitutes a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments. A few examples of typical harassment cases may help you recognize and avoid problems. A professor invites a graduate student out to dinner to discuss her thesis. She accepts, but when he tries to kiss her at the end of the evening she turns away. He accuses her of leading him on and tells her she may be too immature to continue in her current field of study.