Sexual harassment, regardless of your status or location, may happen to almost anybody. Even to a teaching assistant like you. Even your accordant relationship with your professor might lead to something that is worthy of being called sexual harassment.
Personal preparation
Sexual harassment occurs everywhere. You may get sexually harassed in an office, in a classroom, or even in a library. Learn how to spot differences in relationships and be alert when your professor tries to get a little too close to you every chance he or she gets. Foreign students should be extra cautious when it comes to sexual harassment. Because of the differences in culture, they might have a more difficult time in distinguishing sexual harassment from friendly acts.
Subtle signals
Sexual harassment is not only in the form of physical attacks or rape. Feeling utterly uncomfortable and violated after being asked out by a professor is already considered sexual harassment. Look out for lingering touches and cozy hugs. Learn how to identify subtle signals before your professor takes another step closer.
Gender attacks
Some professors are oblivious of the fact that they have sexually harassed their teaching assistants or students. Sexual harassment is not always about physical attacks or rape, it may also be in the form of gender attacks. Professors showing preference for teaching assistants or students of his or her own gender, obliviously, are committing sexual harassment. Even simple jokes on “female is the weaker sex” are considered sexual harassment attacks.
There is no means to tell whether an institution is sexual harassment-free or not. Although there is no justification for being sexually harassed, you still need to be extra careful of what you wear and how you act. You can avoid being a victim of sexual harassment by dressing appropriately and acting decently. If sexual harassment still present itself despite non-suggestive appearance or actions, report it before things get worse.
Photo Credit : Simon Davison
