NCJ Number
147419
Journal
Journal of College Student Development Volume: 34 Dated: (November 1993) Pages: 406-410
Date Published
1993
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The author addresses the issue of sexual harassment on academic campuses.
Abstract
Included are definitions of sexual harassment, guidelines for determining whether sexual harassment has occurred, an explanation of employer/employee responsibilities in cases of sexual harassment, and strategies designed to prevent or remedy sexual harassment. As a test of knowledge, the author puts forth nine scenarios that may or may not depict actionable sexual harassment. Often, there is a fine contextual distinction between harassing and merely inappropriate behavior. Both men and women may initiate sexual harassment, but overwhelmingly, the victims are women. Dziech and Weiner (1984) reported that 30 percent of the undergraduate women they surveyed had been harassed by at least one instructor. If sexist remarks and other forms of "gender harassment" are to be included, as many as 5 million women college students may have been harassed, according to Paludi and Barickman (1991). Basically, employers are responsible for taking corrective action if employee misconduct is alleged. Academic institutions should affirmatively address the issue, develop and enforce appropriate sanctions, and inform employees and students of their rights to raise a claim of sexual harassment. 18 references