Sexual Harassment of Women

Sexual harassment of women is a costly and traumatic event that occurs across different income levels, job settings, and racial/ethnic boundaries. Sexual harassment occurs at work, at school, and in the military; it is not confined to one group of women or to one setting. Although it may be more common in some settings than others, it is a widespread and persistent problem. This entry explores the definitions and demographics of sexual harassment, and the consequences for victims, financially and emotionally.

Although the origins of the term sexual harassment are not clear, the term has been used since the 1970s. Sexual harassment can be defined in many ways, but the most common and complete description of sexual harassment is provided in the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) guidelines. Sexual harassment, in these guidelines, is described as Unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when

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

Although there are other definitions, the EEOC definition encompasses the two main types of sexual harassment, “quid pro quo” and “hostile environment.” The first is the more easily recognized because it produces specific consequences. The second is a more common complaint, but harder to recognize. An example of quid pro quo would be the demand for a sexual behavior to receive a promotion, a raise, or better working conditions. A hostile environment might involve frequent derogatory comments about women, inappropriate sexual comments directed toward a specific woman, or the display of sexual materials, for example. Many times, the line between these two categories becomes unclear because the work environment may include both types of sexual harassment.