What is sexual harassment?


Explanation

Sexual Harassment includes any unwelcome sexual advance, unwelcome request for sexual favours or other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature in circumstances where a reasonable person, having regard to all the circumstances, would anticipate the possibility that the person harassed would be offended, humiliated or intimidated.

A single incident is enough to constitute Sexual Harassment – it does not have to be repeated. 

Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to:

  • intentional and unwelcome acts of physical intimacy including touching or kissing
  • requests or demands (directly or by implication) for sexual favours
  • repeated sexual requests or requests for dates after the person has said no
  • persistent comments on how a person looks or is dressed
  • persistent comments on a person’s sex life or sexuality
  • sexually explicit emails, text messages, social media posts or messages
  • degrading sexual jokes and comments
  • sexually explicit banter or conversation
  • sex-based insults, taunts or name-calling
  • staring or leering.

 

Helpful links

What is sexual harm?

What is sexual misconduct?

What is sexual assault?