What is Sexual Harassment
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is unwelcome behavior or communication that is sexual in nature when:
- A student or employee is led to believe that he or she must submit to unwelcome sexual conduct or communications in order to gain something in return, such as a grade, a promotion, a place on a sports team, or any educational or employment decision, or
- The conduct substantially interferes with a student?s educational performance, or creates an intimidating or hostile educational or employment environment.
Sexual Harassment Occurs When:
- Submitting to the harasser’s sexual demands is a stated or implied condition of obtaining a work or educational opportunity or other benefit; or
- Submission to or rejection of sexual demands is a factor in a work, school, or other SPS-related decision affecting an individual; or
- Unwelcome sexual or gender-directed conduct or communication interferes with an individual’s performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.
This conduct may take many forms, including:
- Making unwelcome, offensive or inappropriate sexually suggestive comments,
- Gestures or jokes;
- Standing too close,
- Inappropriate touching,
- Cornering, or stalking a person; or
- Displaying offensive or inappropriate sexual illustrations on school property.