Sexual Harassment

Sexual Harassment

We pride ourselves in our experTISE
Legally Reviewed By
Dante T. Pride
You are entitled to learn, work, and participate in society without sexual harassment. The law is on your side, and The Pride Law Firm is here to help.

With the widespread awareness of movements like #MeToo and Time’s Up, more people are recognizing sexual harassment in all its forms. With this recognition also comes a reckoning for the individuals and institutions that have tolerated or even fostered sexual harassment, abuse, and assault.

The Pride Law Firm is dedicated to helping sexual assault and abuse survivors seek justice. If you’re being harassed with sexual speech, conduct, or intimidation, reach out to us today at (619) 516-8166 for experienced, zealous representation.

Table of Contents

What Is Sexual Harassment?
Where Does Sexual Harassment Happen?
What Can a Sexual Harassment Settlement or Verdict Mean For You?
How Can You Hire a Sexual Harassment Lawyer?
Sexual Harassment FAQs

A woman in white blouse stands uncomfortably in the foreground as a group of men in the background make comments about her.

What Is Sexual Harassment?

The sexual harassment definition from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) describes it as “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.”

While sexual assault involves unwanted sexual touching, sexual harassment can be entirely verbal or visual, involving no physical contact. Texts of a sexual nature, pictures shown or sent via email, and sexual comments to or about you all fall under the definition of sexual harassment. Such conduct is unacceptable and does not have to be tolerated by you or anyone.

Sexually harassing speech, conduct, or intimidation is unacceptable and does not have to be tolerated by you or anyone.

Where Does Sexual Harassment Happen?

Sexual harassment can happen just about anywhere, and may appear different depending on the context where it occurs. Here are some real-life examples of common sexually harassing behavior that should be reported. These instances could constitute a sexual harassment lawsuit if not handled swiftly and appropriately.

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

In employment law, workplace sexual harassment is covered by the Civil Rights Act of 1965. It includes behaviors like:

  • Repeated unwanted sexual advances from anyone (boss, peer, or junior), regardless of whether they were told explicitly to stop
  • Quid pro quo sexual harassment, so-called after the Latin phrase meaning “this for that” as it involves a superior conveying that their decision in hiring, promoting, or firing an employee depends on their willingness to meet sexual demands
  • Non-physical and non-verbal behaviors like leaving sexual images around, winking, blowing kisses, staring, leering, or behaving provocatively while holding or eating food

Physical sexual assault is also a form of harassment, and all of these meet the standard appropriate for reporting and potential legal action.

Sexual Harassment at School

Whether for K-12 children, college students, or adults in continuing education, schools are places that should be free of sexually harassing behavior like:

  • Peer-to-peer demands for dates and any retaliation (like spreading rumors) when those demands are refused
  • Teacher-to-student harassment, including withholding or lowering grades based on sexual compliance
  • Stalking, intimidation, and bullying such as loitering around classrooms or always sitting near you for the sake of discomfort and harassment

The Pride Law Firm represents both adult and child sexual abuse cases, and can be reached for a free, respectful, and confidential consultation at (619) 516-8166 or by filling out our online contact form.

Sexual Harassment in the Community

Whether you’re at the DMV, your local grocery store, or attending church, everywhere open to the public and community gatherings should be safe. Examples of other forms of sexual harassment in general could include:

  • Harassment from authority figures like police, priests, doctors, therapists, or judges
  • Stranger harassment like lewd gestures, especially in shopping areas where there should be security personnel (malls, stores, and their parking lots)
  • Neighbor harassment in residential areas, whether in apartments, trailer parks, or family homes—most communities have written rules of behavior that should be followed

These instances of sexual harassment may overlap with other kinds of harassment and abuse, including racist threats or LGBT endangerment like outing or doxxing. If you have questions about your rights and what can be done via a lawsuit to enforce them, contact the attorneys at Pride Law today. We are on your side and are ready to listen.

Sexual harassment can come from bosses or juniors, men or women, adults or students. At the end of the day, you deserve to be safe and walk through this world without being harassed. Filing a lawsuit may be the best way to free up your life and protect others on the job or in your community from the same sort of behavior.

A young bearded man in a blue button-down shirt sits on a couch and reports an instance of sexual harassment. He is looking away from the woman who is taking notes of his complaint.

What Can a Sexual Harassment Settlement or Verdict Mean For You?

The damages recovered in sexual harassment lawsuits may include:

  • Lost wages or other job-related losses like advancement opportunities you were denied
  • Legal and therapeutic costs of treatment needed to properly address and process the incident(s)
  • Pain and suffering damages meant to recognize the physical stress and mental toll caused by conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Punitive damages, which are fees imposed on the perpetrator or enabling institution that are then awarded to you
  • Wrongful death expenses for the survivors of suicides caused by persistent harassment and abuse

Another noneconomic remedy that comes from successful lawsuits is reform. When your action costs a company, school, or business money, they have a financial incentive to do better. Your choice to call Pride Law today at (619) 516-8166 could vastly improve or even save the lives of people you may never even meet.

A short-haired woman in professional business attire calls an attorney after leaving her office building in the background.

How Can You Hire a Sexual Harassment Lawyer?

One call can make a world of difference.

Sexual harassment is not something you should have to endure or deal with in any job, while attending school, or during each day as you live your life. A sexual harassment lawsuit can not only help remedy your situation, it could help change the culture of your environment, and improve the lives of those around you.

At The Pride Law Firm, we respect the courage it takes to speak up. We are a personal injury firm with experience in sexual assault, civil rights, and employment law cases. Reach out to us today via our online contact form or by calling (619) 516-8166. We are here to listen, and do everything in our power to help amplify your voice.

Sexual Harassment FAQs

Does workplace harassment have to be perpetrated by a boss or supervisor?

No, sexual harassment is not exclusive to bosses, managers, or other higher-ups — it can come from anyone. A colleague of equal standing, or even a junior, trainee, or intern has the ability to sexually harass you. However, they do not have the right. Contacting a sexual harassment lawyer can help make the proper boundaries clear to the perpetrator, the company, and anyone else who is feeling uncomfortably silenced.

Can you be sexually harassed by someone of the same sex/gender?

Yes, sexual harassment can come from someone who is the same gender or sex as you. Regardless of how you or the other person presents or identifies, if there is persistent sexual talk or behavior that causes you to feel embarrassed, uncomfortable, or unsafe, it is harassment.

How long do I have to file a sexual harassment lawsuit?

The filing deadline (statute of limitations) for sexual harassment cases varies between state. In California, where Pride Law is located, an employee has three years to file a charge of harassment or sex-based discrimination with the Department of Fair Employment or Housing (DFEH). It’s only after filing such a charge that a person may then file a civil lawsuit.

A lawyer with experience in sexual harassment and employment discrimination laws will know what paperwork needs to be filed, where the filings must take place, and the order in which they are required. Reach out to the Pride Law Firm and let us take charge of the documentation needed to make sure your voice is heard.

What proof will I need to file a sexual harassment lawsuit?

Proof of sexual harassment could involve many elements, including witness statements, emails, texts, physical paper communications, and possibly recorded conversations. We recommend that all our potential clients keep copies of any documents or communications that relate to the sexual harassment. The proof in your case will depend on your circumstances, and regardless of whether you have tangible evidence in-hand, you still have the right to file a lawsuit.

Your attorney from Pride Law Firm will help you identify any potentially helpful items, and we can request information or documents that you do not have. You can rest assured that we will gather and develop all possible evidence in order to successfully prove your case. You need only to contact or call us at (619) 516-8166 to empower our staff to work on your behalf.

The Pride Law Firm provides zealous & personalized legal representation to a broad range of clients. If you have been subjected to employment discrimination, wrongfully terminated, seriously injured or accused of a crime, The Pride Law Firm can help.

Practice Areas

WE PRIDE OURSELVES IN OUR EXPERTISE

Queer Advocacy

An LGBTQ+ rights lawyer can help assert or defend your right to marry, maintain your family, and be free from discrimination in employment, housing, or at large.

More info

Civil Rights

Those whose basic liberties and rights have been violated must be vindicated.

More info

Sexual Assault

Sexual violence and assault refers to sexual activity where consent is not granted or freely given.

More info

Sexual Harassment

Inappropriate sexual comments or behaviors are unacceptable at work, school, or in the community. A sexual harassment lawyer from Pride Law can help assert your rights.

More info

Child Sexual Abuse

What happens to us during childhood has lifelong impacts—a skilled child sexual abuse lawyer can help you seek justice whenever you’re ready.

More info

Criminal Defense

In today's legal market, all too often criminal defense attorneys live by the motto: "Bleed'em and plead'em."

More info

Employment Law

The importance of earning an honest wage, maintaining a job, & being free from illegal activity in the workplace.

More info

Personal Injury

Victims of personal injuries are bombarded with television and print advertisements of lawyers with fancy nicknames.

More info
American Association For JusticeSan Diego Business Journal Best of the Bar 2015
Map icon
2831 Camino Del Rio South Suite 104 San Diego, CA 92108