Logo
  • Home
  • Ask
  • Teen Help Network
  • About
    • About Judge Tom
    • Books
    • FAQs
    • Press Room
  • Your Rights
    • Crime and Punishment
    • Student Rights at School
    • You and Your Body
    • You and the Internet
    • Juvenile Justice System
    • LGBT Youth Rights
    • More Categories
  • Blog
  • Get Help
    • Videos
    • A Teenager’s Guide to Juvenile Court
    • Books
    • Research & Resources
  • Newsletter Signup

 

Q&A

Know your rights! Youth justice and juvenile law answers.

Askthejudge.info features regular updates from the news, important decisions from the nation′s courts, and online discussions with Judge Tom. Find out everything you need to know about youth rights, juvenile law and juvenile justice. AsktheJudge – Empowering youth one question at a time.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this site is made available to the general public and is not intended to serve as legal advice.You should consult a trained legal professional in your area for questions you may have about the laws affecting juveniles or any legal interpretations.

Copyright, 2014
Logo
September 6, 2007
Judge Tom
You and Other Important Rights
0

What is sexual harassment?

PreviousNext

 

sexualharassment

Photo by Banna123456's (Flickr)

Test your knowledge of sexual harassment by taking this true-or false quiz:

(T )(F) Sexual harassment is a problem at school.
(T )(F) Men and boys can be victims of sexual harassment.
(T )(F) Charges of sexual harassment are rarely filed.
(T )(F) The best way to deal with sexual harassment is to ignore it.

Except for the last statement, all of the above are true. Sexual harassment can happen anywhere, at any time, to men and women, boys and girls. It′s as underreported as date rape, but it can′t be ignored. You and your friends have rights regarding your feelings, and you have the responsibility to assert those rights.

Sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. As Justice Potter Stewart once said about obscenity, “I may not be able to define it . . . I know it when I see it.” You may not always be able to say why you feel uncomfortable or threatened, but the tone, facial expression, or body language of the harasser makes you a victim of sexual harassment. It′s an offense of perception—if you feel the act or comment goes beyond the usual teasing or flirting, or it′s more than just a compliment, let the offender know.

Since sexual harassment involves treating someone differently because of his or her gender, it′s discrimination and is against the law. Girls and women are more likely to be victims than males. Harassment can happen anywhere—at school, on the job, or in the community.

If you′re a victim of unwanted sexual comments or actions, do something about it. How you handle the situation is up to you. You may choose to confront the harasser or write him or her a letter. Or you can report the incident to a school official, your boss, or a business owner. A formal complaint or legal action are other possible solutions.

FYI  –  for more information about sexual harassment in the workplace take a look at the Youth@Work Initiative which is an outreach program to educate working teens about their rights. See www.youth.eeoc.gov/ 

Also take a look at “What if You’re Sexually Harassed at Work?” on this site.

health & bodyjuvenile lawsrights at school
Share this
Judge Tom

The Author Judge Tom

Judge Tom is the founder and moderator of AsktheJudge.info. He is a retired juvenile judge and spent 23 years on the bench. He has written several books for lawyers and judges as well as teens and parents including 'Teen Cyberbullying Investigated' (Free Spirit Publishing) and 'Every Vote Matters: the Power of Your Voice, from Student Elections to the Supreme Court' (Free Spirit Publishing). When he's not answering teens' questions, Judge Tom volunteers with the American Red Cross and can be found hiking, traveling and reading.

Find great resources in our

Teen Help Network


Leave A Comment Cancel reply