When is it harassment?

Sexual Harassment in Employment and Housing:

• Someone says or does something to you of a sexual nature that you do not welcome. This includes behavior that a person knows or ought to know you do not welcome.
• Your boss, landlord, or other authority figure uses their position of power to sexually harass you. By being in a vulnerable situation, it is difficult for you to speak out about the situation. The person in authority uses the position to help them get away with unwelcome sexual comments or actions.

Sexual Solicitation or Advance:

• A person suggests that if you become sexually involved with him or her, he or she will give you a better grade or some other type of incentive.

Sexual Harassment and Reprisal:

• A person who has authority or power denies you something important, punishes or threatens you for refusing a sexual request, or for complaining about inappropriate sexual behaviour or comments.

Sexual Harassment and a "Poisoned Environment":

Sexual harassment can have a bad effect on, or "poison", the places where you live, work or receive services. Even if the harassment is not directed at you, it can still poison the environment for you or others.

How do you know if the environment is poisoned? One way is to look at the effect of negative comments or actions. For instance, if certain sexual or gender-related comments or actions make you or others feel uncomfortable in the workplace or unwilling to return to work, this could indicate that the work environment is poisoned.