Sex harassment can occur between people of the same or different gender. It is not limited to males harassing females. Sex harassment may occur in a variety of relationships. It may occur among peers, such as co-workers and students. A harasser may be an outsider, such as a University contractor or internship sponsor.
Sexual harassment takes two forms.
By definition, it can only be perpetrated by someone in a position of power over another. This is true even if the University had no knowledge of the behavior. The law does not require a showing that the supervisor actually made good on his or her demands or insinuations to impose liability. Hostile environment harassment Sex harassment may also arise from unwanted conduct which is so severe or persistent that it creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational or working environment. Conduct may be physical, verbal or nonverbal.