Sexual harassment has become a heated issue in our everyday lives. Since there is such a huge debate on whether something is or is not considered harassment it is hard for the courts to draw the fine line where actions become offensive and sexual in nature. Sexual harassment causes burdens in the working environment and in private lives. Race, gender, age, choice of clothing and status all play into it. Grievances can be made but the result may not always be positive. This is why it is so difficult to come forward with a sexual harassment claim.
Sexual harassment in the workplace has become the most evident problem in sexual harassment cases. Both women and men are victims. "In A telephone poll conducted by Louis Harris and Associates on 782 workers revealed: 31% of the female workers and 7% of the male workers claimed to have been harassed at work. 62% of targets took no action. 100% of women claimed the harasser was a man and 59% of men claimed the harasser was a woman. 41% of men claimed the harasser was another man." Approximately 15,000 sexual harassment cases are brought to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission each year. While most reported cases of sexual harassment are by women, the number of sexual harassment complaints filed by men has more than tripled in recent years (EEOC). As more women are being placed in supervisory positions, society's understanding of sexual harassment is being redefined and the increase in the acceptability of homosexuality, these numbers may continue to rise. Currently, approximately 11% of claims involve men filing against female supervisors (EEOC). Although a lot of people think sexual harassment is being blown out of proportion, harassment causes hostility and tension and these attributes are not conducive to a worker-friendly atmosphere. When it affects the productivity of a working environment it should be taken seriously.
Sexual harassment is determined in courts on a case-by-case basis.