Sexual harassment is no joke — Sexual harassment is unwanted sexual behavior. It may take different forms, including: physical contact, like grabbing, pinching, touching, or kissing against a person's will; sexual comments, like name-calling, starting rumors, making sexual jokes at a person's expense, or making sexual gestures at or about a person; sexual propositions; and unwanted communication, like phone calls, letters, or e-mails. Unwanted communications can be mean, nasty, or threatening, or they can seem flattering or nice but still make a person uncomfortable. The harasser and the victim can be either male or female, and they do not have to be the opposite sex.
Under Title IX, schools, colleges, and universities that receive any amount of federal funding are required to guarantee all students an education in an environment free from sexual harassment and sex discrimination. People who violate the institution's sexual harassment policy may face suspension, expulsion, or possible civil liability for their actions.
