Sexual Harrasment
Sexual Harassment (Policy 16.005)
It is the policy of the University of North Texas that no member of the university community may sexually harass another and that all allegations of sexual harassment be investigated.
All members of the faculty, staff and student body will be subject to disciplinary action for violation of this policy. Please refer UNT Policy 16.005 . These matters must be reported to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Coordinator.
Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
Criteria for sexual harassment:
- Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of an individual’s employment or education, or
- Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or education decisions affecting such an individual, or
- Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or education performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment.
Types of Sexual Harassment:
- Quid Pro Quo
Examples: “If you have sex with me, you will get a raise.”
“If you have sex with me, you will get an ‘A’ grade.”
- Hostile Environment
Unwelcome behavior that is severe and pervasive and unreasonably interferes with the person’s work or education. There are generally three categories of behavior that can create a hostile environment:
- Third Party: Sexual conduct that is welcome and reciprocated but creates a hostile environment for others.
- Sexual Favoritism: Sexual conduct that is welcomed and reciprocated, but results in unfair treatment of others.
- Sex-Based: Any harassing conduct (including, but not limited to, sexually
charged “jokes,” singling out students for additional work, or inequities in grading policies) that is based on gender.
Possible Responses to Sexual Harassment:
- one may confront the harasser and tell that person that the harassment must stop.
- one is encouraged to report the harassment to appropriate personnel (i.e., chairs, deans, or other supervisory personnel, Human Resources, and the Division of Equity and Diversity.)
Behavior Which May Constitute Sexual Harassment
|
Category |
Examples |
|
Sexual comments |
Jokes or remarks that are stereotypical or derogatory to members of the same or opposite sex; repeated comments about a person’s anatomy; sexual innuendo |
|
Undue attention |
Flirtation |
|
Verbal sexual advances |
General verbal expressions of sexual interest; inquiries of sexual values or behaviors, but short of a proposition |
|
Visual sexual displays |
Display of pornographic pictures, posters, cartoons or other materials, including use of the Internet |
|
Body language |
Leering at another person’s body |
|
Invitations |
Personal invitations for dates or to one’s house or apartment, but sexual expectations not stated |
|
Physical advances |
Kissing; hugging; patting; pinching; fondling; provocative touching |
|
Explicit sexual advances |
Clear invitations for sexual encounter, but no threats or promises |
|
Sexual bribery |
Explicit sexual propositions which include or strongly imply promises of rewards for complying (e.g., higher grades, better recommendations) and/or threats of punishment for refusing (e.g. lower grades, less favorable recommendations) |
(Table adapted from The Minority Review, Vol., 1, No. 3, December 1990)