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Sex-Based Harassment

means any harassment based on sex, including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or pregnancy or related conditions. It falls into one or more of the following categories:

1. Quid Pro Quo Sex-Based Harassment: When an employee, agent, or other person authorized by the university conditions the provision of an aid, benefit, or service under any university program or activity on a person’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct.

2. Hostile Environment Sex-Based Harassment: Unwelcome sex-based conduct that, based on the totality of circumstances, evaluated both subjectively and objectively, is sufficiently severe or pervasive to limit or deny a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from any university program or activity. Factors in determining whether a hostile environment exists include:

   • The impact of the conduct on the complainant’s ability to access any university program or activity.
   • The type, frequency, and duration of the conduct.
   • The context in which the conduct occurred and the roles of the parties involved.
   • Other instances of sex-based harassment within university programs or activities.

Examples of conduct that may constitute Hostile Environment Sex-Based Harassment include:

• Unwanted intentional touching that does not meet the threshold of Sexual Assault.
• Repeated unwanted sexual advances or requests for dates.
• Unwanted written, verbal, or electronic statements of a sexual nature, including suggestive comments, jokes, or videos.
• Exposing intimate parts of the body to others.
• Touching oneself sexually for others to view.

Source: Carnegie Mellon Discriminatory and Sexual Misconduct Policy

Sex-based harassment remains a significant issue across various sectors, affecting individuals differently based on their gender, sexual orientation, and minority status. Estimating the number of people impacted is challenging due to differing definitions and low reporting rates. However, available data shows that sex-based harassment is widespread and pervasive across different settings in the United States, including workplaces and educational institutions. Below is an overview of recent statistics highlighting its prevalence, focusing on men, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and minorities.

At Work

• 38% of Women report experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace.

• 14% of Men report experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace. 

• 60% of Women have faced unwanted sexual advances, coercion, sexually crude conduct, or sexist remarks at work. 

• In some industries, such as entertainment and hospitality, over 90% of women report experiencing sexual harassment. 

In Public

• 65% of Women report experiencing sexual harassment in public spaces.
• 25% of Men report experiencing sexual harassment in public spaces.
• Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are significantly more likely to experience sexual harassment in public spaces compared to heterosexual individuals.

Online

• 41% of Americans have experienced online harassment, with 18% experiencing severe forms such as stalking, physical threats, or sustained harassment. 
• 66% of Women aged 18-29 have experienced online harassment, including sexual harassment, stalking, or explicit messages.
• Online harassment occurs across multiple platforms: social networking sites, gaming platforms, discussion sites, and personal email.

College Students

• 62% of College Students (both women and men) report experiencing some form of sexual harassment while in college. 
• Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students are even more vulnerable, with 24% reporting incidents of sexual assault.
• Students who identify as LGBTQIA+ are significantly more likely to report experiencing harassment than their heterosexual peers.

Sources:

If you or someone you know is impacted by Sex-Based Harassment, please reach out to the Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX at 412-268-7125 or institutionalequity@andrew.cmu.edu. We are here to discuss your options for investigation and resolution, and can also offer support and safety measures, such as workplace or academic accommodations.

Additionally, if you have any physical evidence that might help substantiate the harassment (e.g., photographs, gifts, text messages, voicemails, social media messages, etc.), it is important to preserve that evidence. Consider taking screenshots of texts or social media messages in case they get deleted. Keeping a record of incidents can help in any future investigation or discussion.

While no strategy can completely eliminate the risk of sex-based harassment, there are some practical ways to reduce the likelihood of harmful situations. It is important to remember that if harassment does occur, it is never the victim's fault. Here are some proactive strategies:

• Respect Boundaries: Always respect a person's wishes when it comes to physical or personal contact.

• Address Offensive Behavior: Speak up if you hear someone making offensive jokes. Simply saying, "That wasn’t funny," can send a clear message.

• Report Uncomfortable Behavior: If someone’s behavior makes you uncomfortable, let someone you trust know about it.

• Think Before You Speak: Take a moment to consider the potential impact of your comments, jokes, or stories before sharing them with others.

• Avoid Inappropriate Content: Don’t post sexually explicit materials on social media or in public spaces.

• Respect Privacy: Do not send or post pictures of yourself or others' private body parts.

• Ask for Consent: Never touch someone without their explicit permission.

• Accept Declines Gracefully: If someone has declined your request for a date or personal engagement, respect their answer and do not continue to pursue them.