Is Intimidation a form of Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment intimidation can come in a wide variety of forms, but it generally involves unwanted sexual attention without physical contact. Just because physical contact is not made does not make the situation less impacting on the victim. In some situations, sexual harassment does not involve the desire for sexual activity. Intimidation is the act of trying to shame or embarrass someone based on their gender or gender identity. In that context, does intimidation qualify as harassment?
Expanding Your View of Harassment
In general, sexual intimidation is the attempt to embarrass someone based on their gender, their gender preferences, or their sexual identity. It can involve constant statements, crude jokes, and other non-physical activities that are used to intimidate the victim into being humiliated. While intimidation normally does not involve an aggressor pressuring a victim for sex, it is still a form of sexual harassment because it is based on gender humiliation.
Examples of Intimidation
A common example of intimidation is when a aggressor makes public jokes or statements about a victim’s sexual identity because of the way the victim dresses. Another example of intimidation is when an aggressor constantly stands too close to a member of the opposite sex just to intimidate that person into moving to another spot.
What Can be Done?
If you are the victim of intimidation in the workplace, then you should inform your supervisor about the situation and allow the company to handle it. You might have to file a sexual harassment report with human resources, but the intention is to have the company follow its own procedures and stop the harassment.
If you are experiencing intimidation in a private setting, then you can confront your aggressor and indicate that their actions are not welcome. You can do your best to avoid being in the same area as your aggressor, and you may want to contact police to see if they would allow you to file a harassment report that could be later used for a restraining order.
Sexual intimidation is most definitely a form of sexual harassment, and it shows how broad the scope is for harassment activities. With intimidation, the aim is to humiliate the victim based on a sexual characteristic. In any case, consider standing your ground and get the intimidation to stop. If you run into problems getting your aggressor to stop or getting your company to address your concern, then contact one of our experienced and compassionate attorneys to discuss your legal options.