Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is a form of gender discrimination and violates
the law. It includes unwanted touching, requests for sexual favors,
sexually suggestive comments or remarks, and other conduct that
unreasonably interferes with a person's performance or creates
an "intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment,"
encompassing the classroom/learning environment.
Any threat or suggestion that your job, grade, evaluation, or
opportunity in a course is based on submission to or rejection
of requests for sexual favors is sexual harassment. Under no circumstances
should your opportunity for employment, professional development,
financial, academic, or counseling assistance be linked to acceptance
or rejection of sexual conduct.
Each of us deserves to be treated equally at work and in the
classroom, regardless of our gender.
How Do I Know If I Am Being Sexually Harassed?
People who are harassed sometimes wonder if the harassment is
"serious" or if they did something personally to provoke
the problem. They may hesitate to report the harasser for fear
that others will "laugh it off" or blame them for their
conduct.
If the harasser's behavior makes you feel anxious, angry, frustrated,
resentful, helpless, or depressed, then the problem is
serious, regardless of the nature of the behavior in question.
Trust your thoughts and your feelings.
If something "doesn't seem right" to you, then it probably
isn't.
Warning Signals
Thoughts like these often accompany sexual harassment:
- Why me? What did I do?
- I can't believe this is happening to me.
- I wish I could make it stop.
- If I say anything, everyone will think I'm crazy.
- I hate you!
- What's going to happen next?
Changing your habits, going out of your way to avoid meeting
a certain person, dreading going to class or work - these are
all signs of harassment.
Let Someone Know
Some people think that sexual harassment is just a fact of life.
They believe that nothing can be done about it, so it's useless
to complain. They may also fear retaliation or personal embarrassment
if they make a compliant.
Lake Michigan College prohibits sexual harassment in its employment
practices and in its educational programs and special events.
If you are experiencing sexual harassment at LMC, we want to know
about it! We will help resolve the problem promptly and confidentially.
What Can I Do?
Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972 and Title VI and Title
VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects you from sexual harassment.
In addition, Lake Michigan College has a policy strictly forbidding
sexual harassment in any of its employment and educational practices.
This policy protects students of Lake Michigan College as well
as employees of Lake Michigan College. If a person's behavior
makes you feel uncomfortable, you must let that person know it
does, either by telling them or asking them to stop the behavior.
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