Defining Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault
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Sexual harassment consists of nonconsensual sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct on or off campus, when: (1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a condition of an individual's employment or academic standing; or (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for employment decisions or for academic evaluation, grades, or advancement; or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating or hostile academic or work environment. Sexual harassment may be found in a single episode, as well as in persistent behavior. Sexual harassment is a matter of particular concern to an academic community in which students, faculty, and staff are related by strong bonds of intellectual dependence and trust. If members of the faculty, whether professors or teaching fellows, or other Yale employees, introduce sex into a professional relationship with a student, they abuse their position of authority. In some instances sexual harassment is obvious and may involve an overt action, a threat, or a reprisal. In other instances sexual harassment is subtle and indirect, possibly even unintentional, with a coercive aspect that is unstated. Students may find themselves feeling pressure or unwanted attention in a variety of perplexing situations. Harassment by peers is as unacceptable as harassment by faculty or staff of the University. Peer harassment can include repeated unwanted telephone calls; obscene calls or messages; unwanted touching or fondling; and sexual assault or attempted sexual assault. Students may be unsure whether an experience is appropriately considered sexual harassment. In circumstances such as these, students are encouraged to discuss their concerns with a member of the Board. |
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