Sexual harassment

Sexual Harassment Sexual Harassment Sexual harassment is a serious offence that is being normally seen in many cases all over the world. The problem of sexual harassment is not only related to the realms of unwanted sex but is also related to gestures and directions which would indirectly point intimately at the person concerned. In situations of sexual harassment, the individuals are usually exposed to the obvious parts but it has more elements which revolve around the whole concept. This essay would look upon these issues and highlight them in sexual harassment situations.
The issue of sexual harassment is not new as it has been recognized nearly 40 years ago by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Asking for sexual favors is a direct form of sexual harassment but in some cases indirect favors are also an important element of sexual harassment. The individual involved is either asked for the favor for a reward or he/she is put in such an environment that it becomes hostile for him (Lewis 2001). Many link sexual harassment to be a gender specific situation as most of the cases are seen to be following the women who are subordinating certain individuals. These sexual harassment situations not only lead to deleterious effects on health but they also affect the state of mind of the individual concerned. Sexual harassment is not only related to workplace environments but is also related to the people who are working in military and the service sector (Street et al 2008). Sexual harassment not only refers to the sexual favors but it also relates to the body language of the individuals. Behaviors that are unwelcome by individuals and can be clearly anticipated for making someone offended are said to be incorporating the broad definition of sexual harassment (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2013). Actions that are pervasive and considered hostile are also associated with the sexual harassment situations. It is also seen that sexual harassment can lead to post traumatic stress disorder in many people as the person undergoes anxiety and depression after undergoing these situations (Street et al 2008). More studies help to find out the correlation of race with sexual harassment as it can be seen that the African Americans are likely to come under the situations of sexual harassment more often than their counterparts. Adolescence is also a factor for the increase in the cases of sexual harassment as found by a study conducted by Goldstein (Goldstein et al 2007). The elements of sexual harassment that have not been reviewed properly are related to the sex differences which are clearly obvious through these acts. An individual who commits sexual harassment is directly or indirectly proving the superiority of his gender through the act. Hence it can be said that one of the most important elements of sexual harassment is related to the differences between the genders itself.
Sexual harassment is a serious offence that is usually seen to be carried out in workplaces. However nowadays strict laws and regulations have been implemented so as to avoid these acts from happening. The elements of sexual harassment that are generally not known have been highlighted above in the essay.
References
Goldstein, Sara E., Oksana Malanchuk, Pamela E. Davis-Kean, and Jacquelynne S. Eccles. ” Risk Factors of Sexual Harassment by Peers: A Longitudinal Investigation of African American and European American Adolescents.” Journal of Research on Adolescence 17. 2 (2007): 285-300. Print.
Lewis, Janet V. Sexual Harassment: Issues and Analyses. Huntington, NY: Nova Science, 2001. Print.
Sexual Harassment (A Code in Practice) – What Is Sexual Harassment? Sexual Harassment (A Code in Practice) – What Is Sexual Harassment? Australian Human Rights Commission, n. d. Web. 09 Apr. 2013.
Street, Amy E. ” Sexual Harassment and Assault Experienced by Reservists during Military Service: Prevalence and Health Correlates.” The Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development 45. 3 (2008): 409-20. Print.