What is Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment has nothing to do with sexuality as a fundamentally positive event. Perpetrators use sexually connoted and sexually charged statements and actions to exert power and superiority.
Sexual harassment refers to any psychological, physical or verbal behaviour with a sexual connotation that is perceived as unpleasant and unwanted by the person affected.
It does not matter whether the person causing the harassment intended it.
The following questions can serve as a guide:
- Was the behaviour of the person causing the harassment unwanted?
- Is the behaviour unilateral on the part of the person causing the harassment?
- Do I feel uncomfortable or devalued because of the behaviour?
- Have I been promised advantages if the behaviour was accommodating?
- Have I been threatened with disadvantages if I refuse?
If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, or if you are still unsure, please contact the contact centre (anonymously).
You can also find further information via the following links:
Handout bukof "Sexualised Discrimination and Violence at Universities" [in German]
Handout from the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency "Sexual Harassment in the Workplace" [in German]
Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency Research Project "Sexual Harassment in the University Context" [in German]
