Sexual harassment is unwanted and unwelcome sexual attention (comments, looks, touching, rumors, etc.) that makes another person feel uncomfortable or prevents them from feeling safe in a place that they have to be, like school or work. Sexual harassment creates a “hostile environment” for the person who is experiencing it. For example, telling sexual jokes or stories or showing pictures of naked people could all be included in creating a hostile work or school environment. With a hostile environment, it often becomes difficult for a person to be there, and with school or work, someone has to be there. Sexual harassment can also mean asking for sex in exchange for something, like a better grade on a project or assignment. Sexual harassment is a form of bullying that goes on even after a person asks the harasser to stop.

Here are some examples:

• Someone talks about or writes about another person’s body—focusing on the sexual parts—with others or in front of others. 
• Someone spreads rumors on Facebook about someone’s sexual orientation or things they’ve done sexually.
• Someone pinches or touches another person’s butt or breasts as the person walks by.
• Someone keeps asking another person for dates or to hook up, even after that person has said no many times before.
• A group of people rates other people as they walk down the hallway.
• A teacher demands sex in exchange for a passing grade.
• A boss demands sex in exchange for a pay raise or different hours at a part- or full-time job. 

Sometimes, people will act surprised when they’re told they are sexually harassing someone. But the person being harassed is the one who decides what feels like harassment.

You might think it’s romantic to keep writing notes to someone or telling them how much you like them. But if the person doesn’t like it, you could be harassing them and that’s wrong. That’s why it’s really important to communicate—and listen. If you feel you’re being harassed, be very clear to the person about how you feel—what you want and don’t want. If it continues, that’s harassment. If you’re interested in someone, listen to them and respect their wishes.