SEXUAL HARASSMENT STATEMENT
RECOGNIZING & PREVENTING SEXUAL HARASSMENT
DEFINITION: "Unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature or with sexual overtones which embarrasses or demeans, regardless of the intent."
I. Legal Prohibitions
A. Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act (Sexual Issues)
Note: 1991 - expanded the Civil Rights Acts to include emotional distress.
II. Two Main Categories of Sexual Harassment
A. Quid pro quo (this for that)
B. Hostile Environment
III. Type of Sexual Abuse
A. Verbal behaviors
1. Sexual comments, jokes, suggestions
2. Demeaning names (honey, sweetie, broads, babe, etc.)
3. Calling attention to another's body parts
4. Remarks about another's gender or sexual orientation
B. Non-Verbal Behaviors
1. Suggestive looks, leering, mimicking
2. Offensive gestures
3. "Messages" on T-shirts
C. Physical Behaviors
1. Patting, squeezing, rubbing, pinching, or repeatedly brushing up against someone's body.
2. Violating another's "space".
IV. Suggested Responses to Sexual Harassment
A. Informal Procedures
1. Be assertive right away
a. If you see something that your partner is doing and you believe it is
not proper, tell that person.
b. If it is a player directing sexual harassment towards you or your
partner, advise them to stop and advise the coach.
B. Formal Procedures
1. Disclose details to the Local Board of Directors.
2. Disclose details to
3. Keep and present detailed records (who, when, where, why and how, also witness or potential witnesses) of the harassment.
V. Advice to the Harasser
A. What you meant is much less important that how the behavior was perceived.
1. "I was only kidding" and phrases like "I really meant no harm" do not make it go away.
B. Civil suits can be pursued.
VI. Some advice to the victim
A. You have a right to work/play (referee or players) in a non-threatening environment.
B. Be strong, be assertive.
C. Passivity can be interpreted as "a green light".
D. Others might be suffering, not just you.