What is sexual harassment?
What is “sexual harassment”? It means the words and deeds related to sex or gender that are against the accepter’s willingness, unwelcome and unpleasant, and are committed for the purpose of, or result in, infringement upon or violation of the accepter’s dignity, personal freedom or normal life. The sexual harassment originates from sexual discrimination or bias, which may be categorized into verbal, non-verbal and physical conducts of a sexual nature. The verbal conduct of a sexual nature includes indecent words (voice), bawdy and rude words, and quotation of inadequate metaphors, et al. The non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature includes disgusting words (films), pornographic pictures (posters), skimpy clothing, exposure of reproduction organs, whistling rudely, and making sheep’s eyes, et al.. The physical conduct of a sexual nature includes making a pass, pressing close intentionally, inadequate physical touching and excessive pursuit, et al.
Sexual harassment will be identified subject to the accepter’s subjective feeling instead of the doer’s own opinion or thought. Even if a doer does not believe subjectively that his conduct is unpleasant, or against the accepter’s willingness, his conduct may constitute sexual harassment as long as such conduct is unwelcome to the accepter. Notwithstanding, whether it also constitutes the punishment requirements under laws, it is necessary to judge in terms of objective facts.
Sexual harassment will be identified subject to the accepter’s subjective feeling instead of the doer’s own opinion or thought. Even if a doer does not believe subjectively that his conduct is unpleasant, or against the accepter’s willingness, his conduct may constitute sexual harassment as long as such conduct is unwelcome to the accepter. Notwithstanding, whether it also constitutes the punishment requirements under laws, it is necessary to judge in terms of objective facts.