PLANNING 10 							NAME_____________

Sexual Harassment
What Is Sexual Harassment? 
Harassment is:
•	Any behaviour or comment that is hurtful, degrading, humiliating, or offensive to another person. 
•	Physical, verbal, or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature which is unwanted and unwelcome. 
Examples of sexual harassment are spreading sexual rumors, sexual ridicule, obscene T-shirts, inappropriate touching, staring at genital areas, name calling, sexual jokes, inappropriate comments or noises, continually asking for a date, demands for sex, etc. These can occur in many situations—at school, at work, on the street, on the telephone, or in email.
Sexual harassment, like other forms of bullying, needs to be reported. If you are being sexually harassed, you need to tell an adult who you trust. Sexual harassment often goes unreported because it usually involves a power difference.

What can you do if you are sexually harassed?
1.	React immediately and directly, if possible. Sometimes you can talk to the person harassing you. The best response may be to tell the person that you don’t welcome or accept the behaviour, and if it’s repeated, you will report it. 
2.	If you’re an employee, talk to your company supervisor or human resources person. Find out your employer’s policy on human rights complaints. If you belong to a union, talk to the union steward. You have a right under the collective agreement between the union and employer to complain to the union about sexual harassment by the employer, a supervisor, or a co-worker.
3.	Make and keep a written record of every incident of harassment – when it occurs. Tell someone else, like a trusted co-worker, friend, or family member that you are being harassed. Your written record, and the fact that you told someone, may be important evidence if you file a complaint or sue.
4.	File a complaint with the BC Human Rights Tribunal. The Tribunal website, at www.bchrt.bc.ca, has detailed information on how to do this. You can phone the Tribunal at 604.775.2000 in Vancouver and 1.888.440.8844 elsewhere in BC. 
5.	If you lose your job because of discrimination, you may also be able to sue in court for wrongful dismissal. As well, a wrongful dismissal lawsuit can be complicated and expensive, so if you are thinking about suing, get legal advice first.
6.	Contact a lawyer for legal advice about what you can do. For the name of a lawyer, call Lawyer Referral at 604.687.3221 in the lower mainland and 1.800.663.1919 elsewhere in BC.

Activity

http://142.30.41.51/PL10OL/WYOT/index.html 
Use the link above - Module 5.3C – Flirting or Harassment and complete the “flash” activity.  Once you have the correct answers, place them in the chart below.

Flirting	Sexual Harassment