Sexual harassment is an issue that affects both men and women. It can occur in public as one goes about their day, at home, and in the workplace.According to statistics pulled from NPR.org, over 80% of people report experiencing some form of sexual harassment. [1] One of the many unfortunate facts about sexual harassment is that victims often time do no contact authorities to report what has happened to them. They experience feelings of shame, can be in denial about the violation which occurred, are unsure of how to manage that information with respects to the authorities or, they might be understandably intimidated. [2]
So how do you know whether you have experienced sexual harassment? To help you stay informed, we’re going to start by talking about the basics of sexual harassment and how to recognize it.
How is Sexual Harassment Defined Legally?
According to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, [3] any unwanted physical or verbal sexual actions, sexual advances, and requests are considered sexual harassment and are illegal. Furthermore, both harassment and retaliation against people reporting sexual harassment are illegal.
Is Sexual Harassment Happening to You?
Sexual harassment claims vary greatly, and yet there are still many ways to tell if it Here’s how you know if you’re being sexually harassed.
1. You Have to Put up with Behavior That Makes You Uncomfortable
Sexually charged jokes and compliments, or talk about sex that makes you uneasy are perfect examples of behavior that can be classified as sexual harassment.
2. They Make Unwanted Advances
Uninvited physical contact, questions about sexual preference, or wanting to meet in private after work are all unwanted advances and examples of harassment.
3. They Don’t Listen When You Say Stop
Obvious harassment is when someone chooses not to listen to you when you tell them to stop with unwanted advances and behavior. While putting your feelings to words should be enough, sometimes you will have to push the harasser away and leave the room, which is 100% justified.
4. You’re Afraid to Speak up
Any behavior that makes you uncomfortable to speak up about is an issue worth reporting. You should act as soon as possible, even if you’re afraid of retaliation. If you feel like no one will believe your claims, you can always record everything and then report. Putting it off for later may embolden your harasser and make things worse.
Consult a Lawyer for Sexual Harassment
Once you’re sure that you are being sexually harassed, a lawyer can be your best ally in fighting back. The right attorney can consider the entire situation from a legal standpoint and offer you an appropriate solution. Even before you make your accusation official, an attorney can advise you on how to gather evidence and then report it. Keep in mind that the stress and legalities of successfully navigating a case of sexual harassment can be very hard without proper legal counsel.
Lawyers Can Help Stop Sexual Harassment
Remaining silent is a good way to make your abuser think he can get away with harassing you. That’s why you shouldn’t hesitate to report the person. After all, you have the law on your side, and a lawyer will do everything in his power to bring your abuser to justice. Furthermore, you can receive compensation for sexual harassment while keeping your job and maintaining a safe work environment.
You can search online for legal representation and compare many different offers and prices quickly. If you’re facing problems, start looking for a lawyer right now.
[1]https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/21/587671849/a-new-survey-finds-eighty-percent-of-women-have-experienced-sexual-harassment
[2]https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-compassion-chronicles/201711/why-dont-victims-sexual-harassment-come-forward-sooner
[3]https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/publications/fs-sex.cfm
