Understanding What Constitutes Sexual Harassment

According to the Code of Good Practice on Sexual Harassment, sexual harassment is defined as any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, where the behaviour is not welcome or mutual. Sexual attention becomes sexual harassment if:

• The behaviour is persisted in, although a single incident of harassment can constitute sexual harassment; and/or

• The recipient has made it clear that the behaviour is considered offensive; and/or

• The perpetrator should have known that the behaviour is regarded as unacceptable.

Despite the common assumption that policies are put into place to protect employees only, it should be known that anyone can be a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace. A publication by the reputable law firm,