Sexual harassment (SH) is harassment or unwelcome attention of a sexual nature. SH is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of1964. SH can occur in a variety of circumstances: The harasser can be anyone, such as a supervisor, a client, a co-worker, a teacher or professor, a student, a friend, or a stranger. It can also occur in group settings as part of rituals or ceremonies, such as when members engage newcomers in abusive or sexually explicit rites as part of hazing or initiation.
Such unwelcome activities can affect an individual's work or school performance, and can create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. SH may culminate in a retaliatory discharge if a victim tells the harasser or her employer she will no longer submit to the harassment, and is then fired in retaliation for this protest.
