[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/what-sexual-harassment-is-and-is-not\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/what-sexual-harassment-is-and-is-not\/","headline":"What Sexual Harassment Is and Is Not","name":"What Sexual Harassment Is and Is Not","description":"Sexual assault and rape are, of course, are the most extreme examples of sexual harassment Rape and sexual assault are by their very nature, unwelcome. So, in virtually every circumstance rape and sexual assault are \u201csexual harassment\u201d. Other sexual conduct amounts to sexual harassment because of the circumstances in which the conduct occurs. For example,...","datePublished":"2012-05-23","dateModified":"2025-05-28","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/author\/rizklaw\/#Person","name":"Rizk Law","url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/author\/rizklaw\/","identifier":9,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/10e23ce5e6c4dadb4589cd8edf2c3f59ac356a6e876c3656917777913d9c3bc1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/10e23ce5e6c4dadb4589cd8edf2c3f59ac356a6e876c3656917777913d9c3bc1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Rizk Law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/rizk-law-logo-footer.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/rizk-law-logo-footer.jpg","width":278,"height":65}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Richard-Rizk-headshot.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Richard-Rizk-headshot.jpg","width":383,"height":427},"url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/what-sexual-harassment-is-and-is-not\/","about":["Personal Injury"],"wordCount":303,"articleBody":"Sexual assault and rape are, of course, are the most extreme examples of sexual harassment Rape and sexual assault are by their very nature, unwelcome. So, in virtually every circumstance rape and sexual assault are \u201csexual harassment\u201d.Other sexual conduct amounts to sexual harassment because of the circumstances in which the conduct occurs. For example, advances of a sexual nature become sexual harassment when:The conduct is done with intent to unreasonably interfere with one\u2019s work\u2013\u00a0OR\u2013\u00a0creates a hostile work environment; orA request for sexual favors is an implicit or explicit condition of employment;\u00a0orA request for sexual favors is used as a factor in employment decisions.But not all unwelcome advances of a sexual nature amount to sexual harassment. Defendants in sexual harassment cases often defend sexual harassment claims by arguing that the victim \u201cconsented\u201d the sexual conduct.\u00a0That is why saying \u201cNO\u201d\u00a0in clear, immediate and documented way, is so important.\u00a0Consensual sexual behavior is never sexual harassment.A key factor distinguishing harassing from non- harassing comments of a sexual nature is frequency.\u00a0An isolated unwelcome sexual innuendo is much less likely to amount to sexual harassment than a pattern of unwelcome sexual comments.Also, consider the setting. Comments at a bar on a Friday night with co-workers is much less likely sexual harassment than sexual comments at a work related event.In addition, consider the relationship. An unwelcome sexual comment of boss to an employee (or teacher to student) is more likely to amount to sexual harassment than sexual joking among students or co-workers.Sexual harassment takes many forms. Unwanted physical contact, inappropriate words and unwanted repeated sexual staring can all constitute sexual harassment. The goal of this blog post has been to help you sort out whether you have been a victim of sexual harassment."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What Sexual Harassment Is and Is Not","item":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/what-sexual-harassment-is-and-is-not\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]