What is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual Harassment is any unwelcome conduct or communication of a sexual nature when:

1. submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or academic standing;
2. submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for employment or academic decisions affecting such individual; or
3. such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonable interfering with an individual's work or creating an intimidating, hostile or abusive work or academic environment.

When a person intimidates, coerces or humiliates someone else because of gender or sexual orientation, that is sexual harassment. It is a violation of the trust that normally exists among all people in the academic community. Sexual harassment creates confusion because it introduces a sexual element into an academic setting where it does not belong. Sexual harassment can occur between individuals of different sexes or of the same sex.

It is a violation of the University/College policy for any member of the academic community to engage is sexual harassment or to retaliate against any member of the academic community for raising an allegation of sexual harassment, for filing a complaint alleging sexual harassment, or for participating in any proceeding to determine if sexual harassment has occurred.

Could I Be A Victim Of Sexual Harassment?

Yes, you are a victim of sexual harassment if any person:

• subjects you to unwanted sexual attention, such as making suggestive comments.
• attempts to coerce you into sexual relationship.
• punishes or threatens to punish you for refusal to comply with sexual advances.
• implies that sexual favors may be a basis for grades in a course or academic recommendations or evaluations.
• engages in conduct of a sexual nature which has the purpose or effect of interfering with your performance in class or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or learning environment.

What Forms Can Sexual Harassment Take

Sexual harassment can be either verbal or physical. Verbal harassment may include:

• repeated sexual comments, jokes, remarks or subtle suggestions of a sexual nature directed at individuals because of their gender or sexual orientation (heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual).
• turning a discussion of a student's academic work into a discussion of his/her physical attributes or physical appearance.
• suggestive, obscene, insulting sounds or gestures.
• humor or jokes about sex unrelated to teaching/learning objectives.
• sexual propositions, invitations, or other pressure for sex.
• implied or open threats.

Physical harassment may include:

• patting, pinching, brushing up against the body, and any other inappropriate touching.
• attempted or actual kissing or fondling, excessive staring at breasts, buttocks, or genitals.
• coerced sexual intercourse.

Put simply, sexual harassment is any coerced, unethical, or unwanted emphasis on sexuality or gender.

Should Sexual Harassment Be Tolerated?

No! Sexual harassment is illegal. It is a form of sex discrimination in violation of Title V11 of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title 1X of the 1972 Education Amendment, and the official policy of The City University of New York. Kingsborough Community College adheres to CUNY policy, which explicitly prohibits sexual harassment throughout the university community:

"It is the policy of The City University of New York to promote a cooperative work and academic environment in which there exists mutual respect for all University students, faculty, and staff. Harassment of employees or students based upon sex is inconsistent with the objective and contrary to the University policy of equal employment and academic opportunity without regard to age, sex, sexual orientation, alienage or citizenship, religion, race, color, nationality or ethnic origin, handicap, and veteran or marital status. Sexual harassment is illegal under Federal, State, and City laws, and will not be tolerated within the University."

The City University of New York
Board of Trustees
October 1, 1995

What Can You Do If You Think You Are Being Harassed?

Do NOT blame yourself. Sexual harassment is not something that you bring on yourself. It is not your fault. Blaming yourself only turns inward the anger you have every right to feel toward the harasser.
Do NOT delay. If you delay taking action when someone harasses you, the harassment is likely to continue. Even if you do not want to bring charges against the harasser, your action to stop the harassment should be immediate.
Do NOT keep it to yourself. Chances are extremely good that you are not the only victim of your harasser. Speaking up can protect others from being victims. Not talking about the problem with someone only encourages you to blame yourself and places an enormous burden on you.
Say NO to the harasser! Be direct. Keep a record of what happened and when. Include dates, times, places, names of persons involved and witnesses, and who said what to whom.

• You don't have to make a formal complaint; you can simply come and talk about the problem.
• You don't have to face the entire Panel; you can speak to only one member in confidence.
• You don't have to be identified to the person you name in order to talk to a Panel member. However, the full complaint procedure will not go forward unless you are willing to be identified to the person suspected of harassment.
• If you decide to make a formal complaint, you will be kept informed of the Panel's activities.

• uncertainty about whether you have really been harassed
• shock or embarrassment over the incident
• a sense that you are somehow responsible a fear that people of a different sex or sexual orientation will not take your complaint seriously
• general doubt that the situation can be satisfactorily resolved

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