What WVU at Parkersburg Students

Should Know About

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Definition     Common Myths     Q&A

Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

• Submission to such conduct is an explicit or implicit condition for employment or benefit, such as a grade, admission to a program or salary
• Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or educational performance, creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment.

• Quid Pro Quo—When something--a grade, a letter of recommendation, a job--is given or withheld on the basis of an individual’s response to a request for sexual favors.  One instance is enough to prove sexual harassment, or
• Hostile Environment—Unwelcome sexual conduct that unreasonably interferes with an individual’s job or learning performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or learning environment, even if it leads to no tangible or economic consequence.

The following conduct could be considered sexual harassment if unwelcome:

• Intrusive sexually explicit questions
• Direct or indirect threats or bribes for unwanted sexual activity
• Sexual innuendoes or comments
• Sexually suggestive sounds and gestures such as sucking noises, winks or pelvic thrusts
• Repeatedly asking a person out for dates or to have sex
• Touching, patting, pinching, stroking, squeezing, tickling, or brushing against a person
• A neck/shoulder massage
• Rating a person’s sexuality
• Ogling or leering, staring at a woman’s breasts or a man’s derriere
• Spreading rumors about a person’s sexuality
• Graffiti about a person’s sexuality
• Name calling such as “bitch,” “slut,” or “whore”
• Sexual ridicule
• Frequent jokes about sex or males/females
• Letters, notes, telephone calls or materials of a sexual nature
• Pervasive display of pictures, calendars, cartoons, or other materials with sexually explicit or graphic content
• Stalking a person
• Attempted or actual sexual assault

Myth:   Sexual harassment affects only women.

Fact:    Sexual harassment can occur between men and women or women and women or men and men.  It does occur, however, more frequently between males and females.

Myth:   Sexual harassment rarely occurs.

Fact:    Individuals have only recently begun to talk about the long-hidden problem of sexual harassment of students, staff, and faculty.  Fear of ridicule, a sense of helplessness about the problem, and a feeling that this is a personal dilemma have kept the problem concealed.

Myth:  If a woman really wants to discourage unwanted sexual attention, she can do so.  If she is harassed, she must have asked for it.

Fact:    Many men believe a woman’s “no” is really a “yes” and therefore do not accept her refusal.  Also, if the man is in a position of authority, such as a teacher or supervisor, the woman may be coerced or feel forced to submit.

Myth:   Most charges of sexual harassment are false.  Women use these charges as a way to get back at those with whom they are angry.

Fact:    Women who openly charge harassment are often not believed; they may be ridiculed, lose their jobs, receive bad grades, or be mistreated in some other way.  Women have little to gain from false charges.

·         What is the West Virginia University Policy on Sexual Harassment?

University policy, along with state and federal law, prohibits sexual harassment.  University policy also requires that all allegations of sexual harassment be investigated.  For a copy of the policy or more information, contact the WVU Parkersburg campus Social Justice Representative.

·         Does University Policy Against Sexual Harassment Include Prohibition of One Student Harassing Another Student?

Yes.  It is not a question of who does the harassing.  If possible, say no clearly and do not delay to report the issue to the campus Social Justice Representative.  Get any needed emotional help and keep any available documentation.

·         If I Report Harassment, Won’t I Get The Other Person in Trouble?

The goal of every investigation is to stop any harassing behavior.  Often the solution is education, not punishment.  Letting a problem continue unreported can lead to other persons being harassed and the person doing the harassing not being aware of the consequences of their behavior.

·         If I Speak Out, Can I Be Retaliated Against?

Retaliation is specifically prohibited in the University policy.  Retaliation is a separate issue from sexual harassment and carries strict penalties.  For more information, see the University Sexual Harassment Policy.

·         What Happens If I Am Charged With Sexual Harassment?

All allegations of sexual harassment are investigated.  You have the right to know who has made the allegation and what has been alleged.  You have the right to respond in a timely manner and present your side of the case.  If sexual harassment has occurred, appropriate action will be taken to stop all harassing behavior and, depending on the severity of the charges, individuals may be disciplined, up to and including expulsion from the college.  In extreme cases, an individual may also be subject to civil and criminal action.

·         How Can I Get More Information?

Contact the Social Justice Representative for WVU at Parkersburg:

Debbie Richards
Special Assistant to the President for Policy & Social Justice
WVU Parkersburg
300 Campus Drive
Parkersburg, WV 26104
Phone: 304-424-8201