Sexual Harassment
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Basic information about sexual harassment
Sexual harassment is unwanted sexual behavior. It may take different forms, including:- Physical contact, like grabbing, pinching, touching your breast or butt or other body parts, or kissing you against your will;
- Sexual comments, like name-calling (slut, whore, fag), starting rumors about you, making sexual jokes at your expense, or making sexual gestures at or about you;
- Sexual propositions, like asking you for sex or repeatedly asking you out when you have said no;
- Unwanted communication, like phone calls, letters, or e-mails. These can be mean, nasty, or threatening, or they can seem flattering or nice but still make you uncomfortable.
These are only examples; there may be other forms of behavior that are not listed here but still can be considered sexual harassment.
Both the harasser and the victim can be either male or female, and they do not have to be the opposite sex. The harasser can be another teenager or an adult.
If you are a victim of sexual harassment, you might...
- Feel angry, embarrassed, frustrated, scared, or depressed
- Feel helpless to stop the harassment
- Feel hopeless that anything can be done
- Not feel good about yourself
- Fear that your reputation will be destroyed
- Go out of your way to avoid the harasser(s)
- Experience headaches, stomach aches, or sleeping or eating problems because of the stress caused by the harassment
