Sexual Harassment

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

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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