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.