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Policy and Procedures on Sexual Harassment

6. Examples of Sexual Harassment
 

Sexual harassment can involve physical, visual, verbal or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature which is uninvited and unwelcome.  Sexual harassment can be through the form of spoken words, letters, phone calls, faxes, e-mail messages, etc.  The behaviour does not need to be intentionally, directly or consciously targeted at an individual person.  The unwelcome behaviour needs not be repeated or continuous.  A single incident can amount to sexual harassment.  Without limiting the meaning of sexual harassment as defined in the SDO, the following behaviour can be regarded as sexual harassment:
 

(a)    Unwelcome sexual advances
E.g. repeated attempts to make a date; leering or lewd gestures; touching, grabbing or deliberately brushing up against another person;
 

(b)   Unwelcome requests for sexual favours
E.g. suggestions that sexual co-operation or the toleration of sexual advances may further a person’s career or affect a person’s academic results;
 

(c)    Unwelcome verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature
E.g. sexually derogatory or stereotyped remarks; persistent questioning about a person’s sex life; and
 

(d)   Conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile or intimidating work or educational environment
E.g. sexual or obscene remarks or jokes in the workplace/classrooms/hostels; displaying sexist or other sexually offensive pictures or posters.

 

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