Forum focuses on sexual harassment

SHARE, the Women's Center and several other campus organizations sponsored an open forum on the circumstances and options surrounding sexual harassment, Tuesday night in the Frist Campus Center.

The forum, "Anything But an Open Book: Sexual Harassment in Academia," focused on defining and identifying sexual harassment, During a question-and-answer session that followed, panelists described the methods the University uses to prevent and combat sexual harassment.

"After reading the report [on women's issues] released by USG, I was shocked at how little people knew about sexual harassment," said Hannah Haviland '04, who organized the forum. "Sexual harassment is more invasive than anything else and affects both undergraduate and graduate students."

The University defines sexual harassment as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when it is explicitly opposed, SHARE coordinator Thema Bryant said.

Using a short film, Bryant involved the audience in a discussion about what behavior constituted sexual harassment. Some scenes depicting harassment were easily identified by the audience, while others situations — like one student jokingly commenting on another's sexuality — were less clear. Even a short, sarcastic remark can be regarded as harassment under University policy if the victim sees it as such.

There was also an effort to dispel the notion that sexual harassment is typically initiated by a male toward a female. Sexual harassment can come from anyone regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age or University status — but it is not tolerated by the University under any circumstances, panelists said.

The forum also discussed various resources and counseling options available to those who experience sexual harassment, including both formal and informal processes.

Both SHARE and the ombuds offices offer counseling and mediation services between the offender and the victim. This informal approach results in a binding contract and is usually reserved for one-time offenses.

"I consider the informal process a learning experience for both parties," Mendez said. "A lot of the times the offender is not aware that the victim finds their behavior offensive and appreciates being called on it."

Some offenses however, like an authority figure requesting sex in exchange for a grade, are dealt with more strictly. The process entails an investigation and immediate disciplinary consequences, said Joann Mitchell, associate provost.

"I didn't want to discuss sexual harassment in one evening and have it all be forgotten once everyone leaves this room," Haviland said at the end of the forum. "I would like to expand this forum into something larger, and you all should share this information with the people you know."