Sexual harassment includes requests for sexual favors or dates, sexual advances, derogatory or vulgar comments about the victim’s appearance, lewd comments or jokes, and so on. It could happen at work, on the street, over the phone, or on the — often anonymous — the internet. Anyone, including former lovers, neighbors, or your landlord, could harass you. Official statistics on various types of harassment in the United States are alarmingly high across the board, implying that the true picture is even grimmer. You should figure out como denunciar acoso laboral.
So, what does it mean when someone bothers you? Harassment is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of different types of abuse.
As a culture, we run the risk of becoming numb to harassment and abuse.
1. What Constitutes Harassment?
Legal definitions of harassment differ greatly across the country. Because the states’ interpretations of harassment, menacing, and stalking differ, you should first check the statutes in your jurisdiction.
In most states, harassment charges are misdemeanors unless there are aggravating circumstances that raise the charge. For example, if you are harassed because of your race, this will almost certainly be considered racial discrimination.
The fact that harassment is frequently classified as a misdemeanor (rather than a felony) does not diminish its gravity. It is, and you should treat it accordingly.
To file a claim against your harasser, you must do the following:
– Prove that you were harassed by something said or communicated to you. This could have occurred in person, in a letter, over the phone, or online (via email, forums, or social media, for example).
– Demonstrate that what was said was also meant to torment, scare, threaten, or embarrass you.
If the harassment communication continues, whether online or in person, this could be considered stalking. If you believe you are the victim of a stalker, learn how to stop a stalker.