Sexual Harassment
Reporting an Incident | How to Help a Friend | FAQ about Sexual Harassment |What is Sexual Harassment?
| Resources Wayne State University Policy on Sexual Harassment National Women’s Law Center 9 to 5 |
The U.S. Department of Education defines sexual harassment as follows:
“Sexual harassment can take two forms: quid pro quo and hostile environment.
"Quid pro quo harassment occurs when a school employee causes a student to believe that he or she must submit to unwelcome sexual conduct in order to participate in a school program or activity. It can also occur when an employee causes a student to believe that the employee will make an educational decision based on whether or not the student submits to unwelcome sexual conduct. For example, when a teacher threatens to fail a student unless the student agrees to date the teacher, it is quid pro quo harassment.
"Hostile environment harassment occurs when unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it affects a student's ability to participate in or benefit from an education program or activity, or creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment. A hostile environment can be created by a school employee, another student or even someone visiting the school, such as a student or employee from another school.”