Ayangla
Upon conducting a random survey on sexual harassment, some interesting and unusual results have emerged. The women surveyed were all in the age group of 21-45 years and the topic of discussion was ‘sexual harassment’. It seems as if the level of awareness of this term is on the lower side. When asked to a graduate saleswoman what the term implies to her she replied, “Sexual harassment is sexually transmitted disease”.
Let me briefly explain the terms ‘sexual harassment’. It is a form of illegal sex discrimination where intimating, hostile, abusive or offensive conduct that is directed at a woman because she is a fairer sex violates the federal and state standards. For quick example, if a man directs violent conduct (i.e. throwing things like pens, keys, phones etc) at woman at least in part because they are women such conduct is illegal. One type of sexual harassment occurs when sexual favours are requested in exchange of job opportunities, “I will give you a raise if you sleep with me”. Another type of sexual harassment occurs when the work place is offensive or abusive. If a male colleague continually asks like, “hey Barbie doll, want to look at my pornography collection?” or in an inviting tone says, “Yesterday I met a lady who had an ass like yours” and no one needs to work n such a polluted environment.
Fortunately, was able to have rendezvous with women who were well aware on this issue. Among them was a medical doctor who added that sexual harassment can range from a mere glance “(which was tolerable) to unwanted touches. A lady advocate is of the view that sometimes sexual harassment occurs when a woman comes up in a more superior position and the man starts to take it as a threat (ego or pride takes an ugly face when least expected).
In the course of interaction a policewoman said that the victim should be bold enough and must have the courage to speak out her voice and most importantly her right. Her woman colleague reaffirmed that, “Sometimes silence is misunderstood as weakness and it gives encouragement to the person to act as he pleases reminding himself that the victim is meek perfectly made for an interest.”
When questioned about the ways to response to the victims of sexual harassment, they suggested the following methods; to stand ready to give support, make time in listening to her experiences and needs, show enormous love, lastly continue to give encouragement and prayer support. And one of them brilliantly ended by saying what we should never tell them “I don’t believe in you” or “I know that something was wrong with your dress”or “Wats gone is gone .Stop digging the old bones”.
Although sexual harassment is mostly faced by women, it is not necessary that the victim is always a fairer sex .Sometimes a male can also be harassed by another man or even by a female. And surprisingly a female can also be sexually harassed by her own sex.
Before concluding I just want to say that it will be useful if woman are keen enough to learn about the legal definition of ‘sexual harassment’, for sometimes the law does not match with the experience of people. A situation that is legal and seems harmless to others can lead to major life crisis, while others may be exposed to sexual harassment in the legal sense without feeling much affected.
