Stanford University strives to provide a place of work and study free of sexual harassment, intimidation or exploitation. Where sexual harassment is found to have occurred, the University will act to stop the harassment, prevent its recurrence, and discipline and/or take other appropriate action against those responsible.
For more information on sexual harassment, please visit the Sexual Harassment Policy Office.
- Stanford's Policy on Sexual Harassment - Guide Memo 23.2 - Sexual Harassment
In a society of differing generations, cultures and backgrounds, what is acceptable behavior to one person may be unacceptable to another. Furthermore, the behavior may be illegal.
If you believe you are being sexually harassed, or know someone who is, you should act promptly. Correcting the situation immediately, or at least talking with someone familiar with the issues and ways to respond, is in everyone's best interest. Ignoring the situation and hoping that it will correct itself allows the harassment to continue.
Please do not be afraid that if you talk with someone about the situation, you will be subject to retaliation, particularly if the person causing the harassment has power over you (a supervisor, a teacher, etc.). Under no circumstances will Stanford allow reprisals against a person who in good faith reports or provides information about sexual harassment or behavior that might constitute sexual harassment.
Determining what constitutes sexual harassment depends upon the specific facts and the context in which the conduct occurs. Sexual harassment may take many forms — subtle and indirect, or blatant and overt. For example:
- It may be conduct toward an individual of the opposite sex or the same sex.
- It may occur between peers or between individuals in a hierarchical relationship.
- It may be aimed at coercing an individual to participate in an unwanted sexual relationship or it may have the effect of causing an individual to change behavior or work performance.
- It may consist of repeated actions or may even arise from a single incident if sufficiently egregious.
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Advice for Victims of Sexual Harassment
- Know your rights - Sexual harassment is illegal. Stanford University has a specific policy prohibiting sexual harassment. Familiarize yourself with this policy - Guide Memo 23.2 - Sexual Harassment.
- Confront the harasser - Be assertive. Make it clear to the person that you do not appreciate the attention they are giving you and that their behavior is unacceptable. This is not a time to be polite or vague. There is a chance that the harasser does not realize that a particular behavior is offensive. If approaching that person is not an option the target can write a letter to the harasser or have a third party tell the harasser to stop their inappropriate behavior.
- Get information and support - Sexual harassment advisers can provide support and advice about Stanford's policy and procedures. Confide in a trustworthy adult like your parents, teachers, coaches, community or spiritual leader, principal, supervisor, or colleagues. They can help you address your concerns.
- Know your personal boundaries - Understand what's okay and what's not okay within your comfort level in an educational or professional environement.
- Keep a detailed journal - It's important to keep track of the incidents of harassment. Note what happened, the time it occurred, the date, where it happened, who was present, how it made you feel, and the impact it had on your life.
- Report the incident - Let the complaint manager at the school or place of employment know what is going on. Be specific - prepare a statement with all your documentation of the incident and present it at the interview. Tell the complaint manager what you would like to see happen from there.
Whatever you choose to do, remember...
- Do not blame yourself. Sexual harassment is not something one brings on oneself.
- Do not delay. Delay in action in cases of sexual harassment only increases the probability that the harassing behavior will continue.
- Do not hesitate to seek help. Being quiet about sexual harassment enables it to continue. Chances are very good that you are not the only one who has been harassed. Speaking up may prevent others from being harmed.
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Stalking
If you believe you are a victim of stalking, please contact the police (911) immediately. If you are uncertain about notifying the police, you may also contact the YWCA (650-725-9955) for immediate counseling and resources.Stalking can be defined as a pattern of repeated and unwanted attention, harassment, contact, or any other course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.
It is a course of conduct that can include:
- Repeated, unwanted, intrusive, and frightening communications from the perpetrator by phone, mail, and/or email
- Repeatedly leaving or sending victim unwanted items, presents, or flowers
- Following or laying in wait for the victim at places such as home, school, work, or recreation place
- Making direct or indirect threats to harm the victim, the victim's children, relatives, friends, or pets.
- Damaging or threatening to damage the victim's property
- Harassing victim through the internet
- Posting information or spreading rumors about the victim on the internet, in a public place, or by word of mouth
- Obtaining personal information about the victim by accessing public records, using internet search services, hiring private investigators, going through the victim's garbage, following the victim, contacting victim's friends, family work, or neighbors, etc.
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Resources
For more information on sexual harassment, please visit the Sexual Harassment Policy Office at:-
Mariposa House
585 Capistrano Way, 2nd Flr, Rm. 209
Stanford, CA 94305-8210
Phone: (650) 723-1583
Confidential E-mail Address: harass@stanford.edu
Web: http://harass.stanford.edu
For additional information and resources on harassment, you can also visit:
- YWCA Sexual Assault Center (650)725-9955
- Stanford Resources
Please Note: In addition to the resources listed on this page, the information and resources listed throughout this website, including counseling, are available to victims of sexual harassment and other similar abusive situations.
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