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Sexual harassment is a serious social problem that affects millions of Americans. The American Psychological Association estimates that 71 percent of working women will be subjected to sexual harassment during their careers. Sexual harassment can also happen to men.

Sexual harassment includes comments on a person's appearance or dress, sexually suggestive or explicit jokes, unwanted sexual overtures, staring and other behavior designed to make someone uncomfortable, and unwanted touching anywhere on a person's body, including bumping into them and brushing up against someone.

Sexual harassment can happen in many settings, including schools, and the information below may be helpful to any victim of sexual harassment. Victims of sexual harassment in the workplace are in a particularly vulnerable position. They may hesitate to report the harassment because they fear losing their jobs, compromising their careers, not being believed, and being considered "difficult."

• comments about your body, clothing, or sexual activities
• sexual jokes, remarks, or teasing
• requests or demands for sexual favors that come with hints or stated threats about your job.

• insulting sounds
• leering or staring at your body
• obscene gestures
• displays of pornographic or sexually suggestive materials
• creating a hostile work environment

• touching or pinching
• brushing up or bumping against your body
• sexual assault

Sexual harassment may also take the form of a quid pro quo- an offer of advancement if a co-worker will agree to sexual contact or the threat of job loss if a co-worker refuses to engage in sexual contact. Someone experiencing this form of sexual harassment may be suddenly fired or demoted for refusing the harasser's advances.

• Don't ignore it. It won't go away!
• If you're unsure whether a certain type of behavior is sexual harassment or want more information, contact your local crisis center.
• Learn your rights. Contact your supervisor, personnel manager, or Employee Assistance Program and learn about your employer's policies on sexual harassment.
• Speak up about sexual harassment you experience or witness. Encourage your employer to have a strong policy in place and offer trainings on sexual harassment.
• Keep detailed records, documenting any incidents of harassment you experience. Enlist witnesses. Keep copies of all written materials, including e-mails.
• Let the harasser know, verbally and in writing, that his or her behavior is unwelcome and unacceptable. Be specific about incidents of unwanted sexual attention.
• Report incidents of sexual harassment to administrative personnel, verbally and in writing.
• If your workplace has an official policy for filing grievances, start a grievance procedure. If you're a union member, notify the union representative too.

A safe, harassment-free workplace is every person's right!

You can order a brochure on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace from the Coalition.

Online directory of Sexual Harassment school trainers from NH Commission on the Status of Women