Access and Equity

Sexual Harassment

Please view the Education and Training page for information about our online sexual harassment course.

What Is Sexual Harrassment?

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual factors and/or other verbal or physical conduct or written communications of an intimidating, hostile or offensive nature.

The differences between voluntary sexual relationships and sexual harassment are the elements of coercion, threat and/or unwanted attention that exist in nonreciprocal relationships. Although sexual harassment is usually repeated behavior, in some instances it can be an action that occurs only once. In most normal interpersonal relationships, an individual can exercise freedom of choice in deciding with whom he/she wishes to establish a close, intimate relationship. These choices are based on mutual attraction, caring and a reciprocal interest in pursuing the relationship. These elements are absent in sexual harassment.

Types of Sexual Harassment

Most sexual harassment falls into three categories: verbal, physical and visual.

Verbal harassment can include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Sexual innuendoes, comments and sexual remarks about clothing, body or sexual activities
  • Suggestive or insulting sounds
  • Whistling in a suggestive manner
  • Humor and jokes about sex that denigrate men or women in general
  • Sexual propositions, invitations or other pressure for sex
  • Implied or overt threats.

Physical harassment can include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Patting, pinching and any other inappropriate touching or feeling
  • Brushing against the body
  • Making obscene gestures
  • Attempted or actual kissing or fondling
  • Coerced sexual intercourse
  • Assault.

Visual harassment can include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Pictures or drawings of a sexual nature that denigrate women or men in general
  • Written messages, words, comments or poems of a suggestive nature.

Note: Some of the above examples could, in fact, constitute criminal behavior.

Sexual harassment is behavior that continues even after the individual makes it clear that it is unwanted. Often, it is "in the eye of the beholder." The behavior becomes sexual harassment when a person asks another individual not to do it or in some way clearly indicates uneasiness or displeasure, yet the behavior continues.

Some people consider insults about women in general or displaying obscene photographs as a form of sexual harassment while others do not. Obscene gestures can be considered sexual harassment.

Student-to-Student Sexual Harassment

Most people think sexual harassment involving students occurs only between a student and a member of the faculty, administration or an employee. However, sexual harassment also occurs frequently between peers. It occurs in coed residence halls, classrooms, parties, campus events and outdoors on campus grounds. Peer harassment is one of the most common forms of sexual harassment.

Peer harassment consists of things such as inappropriate personal remarks about a person's body, leaving obscene messages on an answering machine or computer, hugging and kissing a person without his/her permission, repeatedly asking a person for a date when he/she has consistently declined, leaving pornographic materials on a person's desk or under his/her door, and explicit sexual aggression such as repeated requests for sexual activity. Student-to-student sexual harassment is just as damaging, degrading and unwanted as any other form of sexual harassment and should be regarded as equally serious.

All sexual attention is not sexual harassment. Certainly whenever men and women are together, sexual attraction is possible, and people will express their attraction. Unwanted sexual attention is experienced when personal boundaries are crossed. What might be appropriate in a consensual relationship is inappropriate coming from a stranger or a new acquaintance.

What You Can Do About Sexual Harassment

Ignoring sexual harassment does not make it go away. Indeed, it might make it worse because the harasser might misinterpret no response as approval of the behavior. However, through informal and formal strategies, there are things you can do. Here are some of your options:

  • Know your rights. Sexual harassment is illegal. Clemson University has a specific policy prohibiting sexual harassment. Familiarize yourself with this policy. Copies of the policy are posted on all departmental and University housing bulletin boards and are available from the Office of Access and Equity, 110 Holtzendorff Hall, 864-656-3181.
  • Speak up at the time. Be sure to say "NO" clearly, firmly and without smiling. This is not a time to be polite or vague. There is a chance that the harasser did not realize that his/her behavior was offensive to you. Additionally, if you decide to file charges at a later date, it is helpful to have objected to the behavior.
  • Seek advice. To determine whether your discomfort is really sexual harassment, contact the Office of Access and Equity, 110 Holtzendorff Hall, 864-656-3181. You will receive emotional support as well as help and information about formal and informal institutional policies.
  • Get psychological counseling, if needed. Free counseling is available for victims of sexual harassment. Students can call 864-656-2451 to schedule an appointment at Counseling and Psychological Services in the Redfern Health Center.
  • Keep records, such as a journal and any letters or notes received. Record the dates, places, times, witnesses and the nature of the harassment — what was said and done and how you responded.

The Policy at Clemson

The Sexual Harassment Policy of Clemson University prohibits sexual harassment in any form against any member of the University community. Faculty, staff and students are all protected by this policy. The policy addresses ways to protect both parties while trying to solve the problem and stop inappropriate behaviors.

Conclusion/Summary

Do not accept sexual harassment as "the way things are" or treat it as a joke. "Silence appears to give consent" when it comes to sexual harassment. The more seriously people treat sexual harassment, the greater the chances the harasser will stop his or her behavior. If there are no consequences to their actions, the harassment will continue. By knowing your rights, you can help stop sexual harassment.

Additional Links

The following links are provided for information and research purposes only. The contents of these links do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Clemson University or the Office of Access and Equity.

To file a complaint or to obtain additional information on Sexual Harassment, please contact:

Office of Access and Equity
Jerry Knighton, Title IX Coordinator
110 Holtzendorff Hall
Clemson, SC  29634
(864) 656-3553

Site maintained by: Office of Access and Equity