Sexual Harassment

Facts and Figures

Sexual harassment does not only affect women. Men can be harassed, and there can also be same sex sexual harassment (woman to woman, man to man). In one survey, 33% of those reporting sexual harassment tried to ignore the unwanted attention. In 75% of these, the harassment continued or became worse. Ignoring sexual harassment does not guarantee it will stop. People who openly charge sexual harassment are often not believed, may be ridiculed, may lose their job, be given a bad grade, or be mistreated in some other way.

PEOPLE HAVE LITTLE TO GAIN FROM FALSE ACCUSATIONS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT.

Some people may confuse harassment with flattery, or some may fear being criticized or ostracized if they do not go along with demeaning "jokes" or comments. It is important for both women and men to become educated in order to properly label discriminating behaviors so they can be stopped. Sexual harassment is not harmless or funny; it is a form of harassment that can profoundly affect its victims.

What is Sexual Harassment?

The University of Connecticut President's Policy on Harassment, in accordance with state and federal law, states that "sexual harassment is defined as any unsolicited and unwanted sexual advance or any other conduct of a sexual nature whereby:

• Submission to these actions is made explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment, performance appraisal, or evaluation of academic performance [quid pro quo];
• These actions have the effect of interfering with an individual's performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment."

Examples

This is harassment:

• Your TA asks you to stay after class to discuss a paper you wrote. After everyone has left, the TA suggests you come to the TA's apartment for a drink to talk over your paper.
• You are the only woman working with six men in a cafeteria in a small residence hall. Your supervisor continually tells degrading and sexually explicit jokes about women.
• You are a good student with a 3.5 average. Several times your professor has asked you to go out to dinner, and you have refused each time. You are sure that the C you received on your midterm has something to do with your refusals.
• A man in your class continues to ask you for dates, even though you have said you are not interested. For several weeks he called every night even though you hung up on him. Last night he showed up at your room and asked to come in.

All of the scenarios listed above can be examples of sexual harassment.

The context of events can be important in determining whether particular acts constitute sexual harassment.

Signs of Harassment

• Slurs or abuse
• Sexual innuendoes and other suggestive, offensive or derogatory comments
• Humor and jokes about sex (or gender-specific traits)
• Sexist remarks about someone's body, clothing or sexual activity
• Sexual propositions or subtle pressure for sexual activities
• Insults of a sexual nature
• Requests or demands for sexual favors
• Catcalls
• Leering, ogling, whistling
• Suggestive or insulting sounds or gestures
• Use of inappropriate body images to advertise events
• Visual displays of degrading sexual images
• Unnecessary and unwanted physical contact (e.g. constant touching, brushing, pinching)
• Impeding or blocking movement
• Attempted or actual fondling or kissing
• Physical assault or coerced sexual intercourse

How to Help and What to Do

Confront the offender directly as soon as the harassment occurs. State clearly what behavior(s) you want stopped. If you can't confront the offender directly, write a letter and give it directly to the offender. Make sure you keep copies of any correspondence you give the offender. The letter should consist of three parts:

• A detailed account of the harassment
• How you felt when this happened
• What you would like to see happen in the future)

Talk with others and see if they have had similar experiences with the offender. The more support you get, the stronger your case when you confront the offender. Call one of the resources listed to find out your options. Report the harassment. If the confrontation does not stop the harassment, report it to a supervisor or department that deals with harassment (see resources).

Resources

• On-campus
  • Office of Diversity and Equity
    (860) 486-2943
  • Dean of Students Office (student to student)
    (860) 486-3426
• Off-campus
  • Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund (info. & referral) after 1 p.m.
    (860) 247-6090
  • CT Commission on Human Rights and Oppertunities
• UCONN Branches
  • Avery Point
    STUDENT TO STUDENT
    Trudy Flanery
    Director of Avery Point Student Affairs
    (860) 405-9024
    FACULTY TO STUDENT
    Joseph Comprone
    Director
    (860) 405-9010
  • Hartford
    STUDENT TO STUDENT
    Nadine Brennan
    Asst. to Dean of Students
    (860) 570-9232
    FACULTY TO STUDENT
    David W. Williams
    Director
    (860) 570-9208
  • Stamford
    STUDENT TO STUDENT
    Sharon White
    Associate Director for Student Life
    (203) 251-8487
    FACULTY TO STUDENT
    Micheael Ego
    Associate Vice Provost
    (203) 251-8510
  • Torrington
    STUDENT TO STUDENT
    Judy DiLaurenzio
    Asst. to Dean of Students
    (860) 626-6804
    FACULTY TO STUDENT
    Michael Menard
    Director
    (860) 626-6803
  • Waterbury
    STUDENT TO STUDENT
    Stuart Brown
    Exec. Program Director
    (203) 236-9847
    FACULTY TO STUDENT
    William Pizzuto
    Interim Director
    (203) 236-9818