2008 Woodie Awards
Know your rights when it comes to sexual harassment
Ashley Bonora
Issue date: 2/23/06 Section: Features
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In a 1992 International Labor Organization survey, women did not hide the fact that sexual harassment existed. In fact, 23 countries revealed that women already know that sexual harassment is a major problem all over the world.
"Direct sexual advances or propositions, intimidation, or creating a hostile environment using sexist jokes, remarks, or pinning up sexually explicit or pornographic photos," are some of the ways to describe sexual harassment, according to the Feminist Majority Foundation.
"Freshman year I had a professor who would pick on me for whatever reason and compliment my hair or what I was wearing in front of the other students. It made me feel uncomfortable," said Tanair Kennedy, junior, Brooklyn, NY.
"He also tried to get close in proximity to me and touch my shoulder. It was strange," said Kennedy.
"Researchers found that 62 percent of college students experienced sexual harassment, and 32 percent of college students said they were victims of physical harassment," as indicated by CNN.
"I initially ignored it and laughed it off because he just seemed that friendly, but then other students were also feeling uncomfortable about it," said Kennedy. The definition of sexual harassment is not black and white. It isn't just forcing sexual activity onto a person of inferiority, nor is it harmless flirting. There is a big difference.
Sexual harassment is degrading and one-sided. It makes the recipient feel unattractive or hold negative views about their appearance or personality.
Sexual harassment additionally leaves the person feeling powerless. Ultimately, it's illegal, demeaning and unwanted.
"There are times when I go out with friends and I do find myself in an awkward situation where men are looking at me and saying things to me that are really inappropriate. I usually don't make eye contact with them and change my location to another area. If it gets to the point where it becomes very bad or I feel extremely uncomfortable, I may leave," said Victoria Lasseky, freshman, East Islip, N.Y.
If you have a suspicion or an intuition that you are being sexually harassed, there are ways to document, which leads to prevention this illegal act.