What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is any form of unwanted verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, with the purpose or effect of violating the dignity of a person, in particular when creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. [1, p. 22]. Sexual harassment includes sexual coercion, unwelcome sexual attention and sexist behaviour (use of gender stereotypes) [2, p. 11], [3]. In the academic setting it may occur between students, between teachers, by teachers toward students and by students toward teachers.
Sexual harassment may assume various forms in the university environment, such as [2, p. 11–15], [4]:
- repeated unwanted sexual advances,
- demanding sexual conduct for a countervalue (e.g. better conditions at an exam),
- inappropriate comments of an individual or a group based on sex, gender or sexuality,
- unwanted e-mails, photographs or messages of a sexual nature,
- inappropriate sex jokes and obscene gestures,
- exposing breasts, genitals or buttocks in a public context,
- rape or attempted rape,
- unwelcome touching.
The consequences of sexual harassment of victims include [1, p. 21], [2, p. 9]:
- fear, anxiety, shame and anger,
- reduced productivity,
- high absenteeism,
- low self-esteem,
- reduced performance,
- avoiding teachers,
- early termination of studies,
- transfer of the experience to future life.
Each member of the academic community contributes to the creation of safe, respectful and dignified environment free of sexual harassment. Masaryk University shall not tolerate any form of sexual harassment. The rights of students and teachers at the university are observed; safe and decent context for development and cooperation is fostered. In the event that a sexual harassment case is detected at the university, the victims are provided support and help in its resolution.