Sexual Harassment
- Getting help if you are being sexually harassed
- Safety Planning
- Protection Orders
- Police Reports and Legal Action
What is Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
- Submission to such conduct is made either an implicit or explicit condition of an individual's academic, work, living environment or participation in a University community.
- Submission or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for a decision that affects an individual's academic, work, living environment or participation in a University community.
- The conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it could reasonably be expected to create an intimidating, hostile or offensive learning or working environment, or has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's academic, work, living environment, or participation in a University community.
Federal Laws and UW Policy
Sexual harassment is a form of employment discrimination prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Sexual harassment is a form of sexual discrimination prohibited under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
The University of Washington policy on sexual harassment volume 4 protects the rights and dignity of each individual in the University community.
Types of Sexual Harassment
Generally speaking, there are two types of sexual harassment, "quid pro quo" and hostile environment.
Quid pro quo (meaning "this for that") sexual harassment occurs when a student submits or rejects conduct of a sexual nature and that affects their involvement in an academic or employment decision or activity. So, for example, if an employee is made to believe that a promotion is likely if the employee goes on a date with the employee's supervisor, the employee is possibly being subjected to "quid pro quo" sexual harassment.
Hostile environment sexual harassment occurs when unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive environment or is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it affects a person's ability to participate in a University activity. While a person engaging in harassing behavior most often has some form of power or authority over the person being harassed, that is not always the case. The harasser can be a peer of the person being harassed.
Examples of Sexual Harassment
- Sexual innuendoes, comments or bantering
- Intrusive, sexually explicit questions
- Pressure, demands or requests
- Sexually explicit correspondence: emails, texts, calls or notes.
- Display of offensive materials: sexually explicit or with graphic content
- Unwanted physical or sexual advances
- Threats, bribes, quid pro quo or stalking
Resources
Community Standards and Student Conduct (CSSC)
Sexual assault, sexual harassment, physical abuse and threats are violations of the UW Student Conduct Code. CSSC can help you make a formal report and determine if the University can take action for these behaviors.
Office of the Ombudsman
Mediates sexual harassment complaints.
University Complaint Investigation & Resolution Office - UCIRO
Conducts investigations of employee sexual harassment and other issues.
References
University of Michigan Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center