Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome, gender-based conduct that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it unreasonably interferes with, denies or limits someone’s ability to participate in, or benefit from the University’s educational program and/or activities. Sexual harassment can be carried out by a University employee, other students, as well as non-employee third parties. Both male and female students can be victims of sexual harassment, and the harasser and the victim can be of the same gender.
Examples of sexual harassment include:
- The distribution or showing of e-mails, text messages, pcitures, or electronic content of a sexual nature;
- Propositioning or pressuring an individual for sexual activity;
- Displaying or distributing sexually explicit drawings, pictures, or written materials;
- Touching of a sexual nature;
- Performing sexual gestures or touching oneself in front of others;
- Spreading sexual rumors or describing sexual experiences; and,
- Telling sexual jokes.
Sexual harassment falls under three categories: quid pro quo, hostile environment, and retaliatory harassment.
Quid pro quo sexual harassment exists when there are: (1) unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature; and (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct results in adverse educational actions. An example of quid pro quo sexual harassment would be a faculty member lowering a student’s grade for not submitting to sexual advances.
Hostile environment sexual harassment exists when an individual creates a contentious environment that is sufficiently serious enough that it denies or limits a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the University’s programs. The conduct does not necessarily have to be repetitive. If sufficiently severe, single or isolated incidents can create a hostile environment.
A statement concerning the University’s position on sexual harassment is available in Student Development and in the Annual Security Report (found on the IWU Health & Safety page).
