What to do if you are Sexually Harassed?

 

Trust yourself.

Know that you have the right to refuse sexual harassment and that you do not have to accept it.

Get support from someone and/or and organization you can trust.

Prepare a file of the harassment including the following information:

  1. the offender's name;
  2. the offender's address and occupation;
  3. the dates and addresses of the incidents;
  4. a brief description of each incident. Include gestures, remarks, propositions, threats, touches, any negative results of the harassment - loss of jobs, bad grades, emotional trauma;
  5. the names of witnesses if applicable.

Legal Options

  • Send a letter, through a lawyer, telling the offender to stop.
  • Make a criminal complaint for sexual assault (if any nonconsensual physical touching occurred).
  • Call the Ontario Human Rights Commission and lay a complaint.

(Adapted from The Montreal Sexual Assault Centre, Training Manual)