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What is Sexual Harassment?

Stanford is a vibrant community of differing generations, cultures and backgrounds. Behavior that is acceptable to one person may be unacceptable to another. Furthermore, it may be illegal.

Sexual harassment is defined as:

  • Unwelcome sexual advances,
  • requests for sexual favors, and
  • other visual, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature

when:

1. It is implicitly or explicitly suggested that submission to or rejection of the conduct will be a factor in academic or employment decisions or evaluations, or permission to participate in a University activity.

OR

2. The conduct, whether subtle or blatant, has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s academic or work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive academic, work or student living environment.