"Near the semester's end, my father committed suicide. My professors were notified, and when I returned to campus, my mentor called to offer condolences and invite me to dinner with his family..... When I arrived, he invited me in, and as he closed the door behind me, he mentioned that his family had left town for a shopping trip. He then raped me, and on my way out, said: "By the way, I have a lot of power in the department, so it won't do any good for you to say anything about this."
- The definition of sexual harassment can differ by campus. Check out your college or university's definition because there are some differences.
- Regardless of the definition of sexual harassment, most universities have policies against Sexual Misconduct
- Sexual harassment includes verbal, nonverbal, and physical behavior.
- Unwanted, unwelcome, or uncomfortable lewd jokes, gender-based slurs, and sexual contact all represent examples of sexual harassment.
- Behavior that creates a hostile learning or working environment is also sexual harassment.
- Sexual harassment can occur between people of the same sex.
- Regardless of whether it's intentional or unintentional, it's still against the law.
- The victim of sexual harassment could be anyone affected by the offensive conduct.
- Most colleges and universities have policies against faculty and staff having sexual or romantic relationships with students. The reason for this is that it is an abuse of the professor's power.
- Even if you as a student are romantically interested in a professor, if you change your mind and want out, that same professor can ruin your academic career with a few words in a faculty meeting.
- Most students do not realize that they have been victimized until a) they want to get out and they can't without fear, or b) they are tossed aside by the predatory professor and watch while he moves on to another vulnerable young female student and they see the manipulation at work.
Other links of interest: