Sexual harassment could be any kind of bullying, coercion in exchange of sexual favors. It includes unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors or any other physical or verbal harassment sexual in nature. Sexual harassment law in detail states – ‘any unwelcome sexual gesture or behaviour whether directly or indirect; physical contact and advances; showing pornography; a demand or request for sexual favours; any other unwelcome physical, verbal/non-verbal conduct being sexual in nature’.
Legal and social understanding of sexual harassment however varies from culture to culture and therefore have different legal definition in every jurisdiction. The harasser can be the victim’s supervisor, a co-worker, or a third person such as the client. Victim could be of any age or gender. In many countries sexual harassment is considered as a form of illegal employment discrimination. Sexual harassment may occur in a variety of circumstances in workplaces, outdoors, schools, offices or in industries such as fashion and modelling. Listed below are some situation which are considered as harassment:
– Any perpetrator with an intent to harm or exploit the modesty of a person (both men and women)
– Perpetrator may be completely unaware that his or her behavior is offensive or constitutes sexual harassment
– Any incident or situations in which the harassed person may not be aware of or understand what is happening
– Victim and the perpetrator can be of any gender
– Incident can result from a situation in which the perpetrator thinks they are making clear and isn’t understood by the other person as intended
– Any showcase or distribution of obscene media or content through an print, internet or a mobile medium
– Seductive or sexist attitudes towards colleagues, subordinates, students, etc.
Sexual harassment affect the victim academically, professionally and socially. Humiliation due to scrutiny or gossip, fear of repeated harassment, defamation of reputation are some of the factors that affects the victim. Given below are some of the other challenges that the victim may go through:
– Effects on sexual life and relationships: can put extreme stress upon relationships with other family members and relatives. Sometimes the victim is even divorced
– Employment challenge: Victim may be fired from the existing job, or may have to face denial for a job opportunity that not only affects their job and the sturdy flow of income, but also affects their career
– Social challenge: Having one’s personal life offered up for public scrutiny the victim becomes the “accused” and his or her dress, lifestyle, and private life often come under attack. They may even dropped out or drop themselves out from courses, or leave school or a workplace in fear of harassment repetition or as a result of stress. And they may consider to relocate to another city or a country
– Future impact: Victim may lose trust in environment which are similar to the place of harassment. And they will also be on constant alert and fear people with demeanor similar to the harasser
– Psychological stress and health impairment: Aftermath of the horrific event could have an adverse effect on the physical or the mental health of the victim. This could lead to depression, anxiety, panic attacks, sleeplessness, nightmares, feeling of shame or guilt, concentration hindrance, headaches, fatigue, loss of motivation, bodily aches, eating disorder, alcoholism, feeling of being betrayed, feel of anger and violence towards the perpetrator, feeling weak, increase in blood pressure, loss of confidence and self-esteem, withdrawal or the isolation syndrome, loss of trust in people, post-trauma stress disorder(PTSD), suicidal thoughts and hopelessness
– Weakening of support network: Victim may be ostracized from the society or the town, from the professional or academic circle. Sometimes even the friends, colleagues and family members distance themselves from the victim in order to remain to be part of the society
The laws on sexual harassment varies from countries to countries and states to states. Sexual harassment lawyer Joliet, are expert in understanding the nature of all the case. Many a times some very sensitive and distrustful people even view a normal smile, a greeting, or an offer to shakehand as suspicious activity or as an untoward advance. Lawyer are expert in going to the depth of the case and understand the every factor and proceed towards giving rightful justice to the victim.
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