Sexual harassment is any type of unwanted contact of a sexual nature. This harassment can occur either physically or verbally. Physical sexual harassment can mean unwanted touching, hugging and cases of rape. Verbal sexual harassment can include questions about your sex life, comments on the way you look or lewd comments. However, sexual harassment can also take the form of discrimination such as an employer discriminating against an employee because of their gender.

A fellow employee's or supervisor's repeated unwanted sexual advances towards you are pervasive if they made the conditions of your employment intolerable. This is the case under a hostile work environment. Additionally, you may feel that your job security is conditioned upon your submission to your fellow employee or supervisor's sexual advances. This is the case under a quid pro quo.

The law makes it clear that sexual harassment is definitely not acceptable, and may result in criminal case and public records. When it comes to sexual harassment and your rights there are laws set out that guarantee protection from this abuse of power. The law guarantees protection from harassment for everyone and these legal rights should always be asserted if harassment occurs.

It is helpful for the victim to inform the harasser directly that the conduct is unwelcome and must stop. The victim should use any employer complaint mechanism or grievance system available.

In the first instance, you should try to confront the harasser. It may be that their perception of harassment is not the same as yours and they didn't realize you found their behavior offensive. When you confront them you should:

Workplace culture is the key to preventing sexual harassment, and employers have a strong impact through their attitudes, behaviors and policies.

The goal is to create a workplace where everyone treats each other with respect, understands that everyone is different, and accepts that everyone has the right to feel comfortable and safe at work.

The following may be useful in preventing sexual harassment in the first place:

• conducting a confidential harassment survey to ascertain the level of sexual harassment currently being experienced;
• developing an anti-sexual harassment/"good working relationships" policy;
• making sure that your organization has an appropriate complaint handling mechanism;
• distributing policies and complaint handling procedures to all employees and providing staff with training to ensure that everyone understands their rights and obligations;
• providing an appropriate environment – remove any potentially offensive material from walls. In order to avoid a backlash, staff should be consulted in this process;
• training in what constitutes sexual harassment; and
• monitoring what happens in the workplace.

Say "NO" emphatically and clearly when you are asked to go places, do things, respond to questions, or engage in situations that make you uncomfortable. Do not worry about offending the other person or hurting his or her ego. Take care of yourself first.

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