Sexual HaRaSSMeNT IS NOT aCCePTaBle - Dalhousie University

If you experience sexual
harassment ...
• Trust yourself – acknowledge what is happening.
• If you are able, tell the person as clearly, firmly
and directly as you can that the behaviour
is unacceptable and that you want it to stop
immediately.
• If you are unable to communicate your concerns
(for fear of reprisal or concerns for your safety
and comfort) OR if you find that saying “no” does
not stop the offensive actions, it is time to seek
help.
• Write down what is happening. Carefully
document the dates, times, places, witnesses
and details of what happened. Keep all
correspondence you have had concerning the
harassment.
• Talk to someone you trust. Someone else may
have experienced a similar problem and sharing
your concerns may make you feel less isolated.
• Place responsibility where it belongs. Someone
else’s behaviour is not your fault or responsibility.
Contact the Harassment Prevention Advisor and/or
the Sexual Harassment Resource Group for advice,
information and support. You can reach the Advisor
at 494-1137. Contact information for the Sexual
Harassment Resource Group members is available
from the Harassment Prevention Advisor or on the
website at hrehp.dal.ca
How you can help to prevent
sexual harassment
• Accept that NO means NO.
• If you are unsure whether your behaviour is
welcome, ask.
• Don’t use or share words, jokes and comments of
a sexual nature that may offend, embarrass, or
hurt others.
• Be aware that cultures different from your own
may interpret actions differently than you do.
• Don’t use power positions to initiate sexual
relationships (even subtly).
• Be aware that the effects of your behaviours may
be harassing to others, even if this was not your
intention.
• Alcohol use does not excuse harassing behaviour.
Drink responsibly.
• Make sure that your attitudes and behaviours
don’t condone harassing behaviours in others.
Contact Numbers
Harassment Prevention Advisor
Gaye Wishart, gaye.wishart@dal.ca
494-1137
Office of Human Rights, Equity and
Harassment Prevention
hrehp.dal.ca
Dalhousie Emergency Phone
494-4109
Sexual
HARASSMENT
IS NOT
ACCEPTABLE
Sexual harassment is a form of
discrimination that has a negative
impact on the working and
learning environment.
hrehp.dal.ca

Dalhousie’s policy defines sexual
harassment as:
Any sexually‐oriented behaviour of a deliberate or
negligent nature that adversely affects the working
or learning environment. It may involve conduct
or comments that are unintentional as well as
intentional. It includes, but is not limited to:
(1) Sexual solicitation or advance of a repeated,
persistent or abusive nature made by a person
who knows, or ought reasonably to know, that
such solicitation or advance is unwanted;
(2) Implied or expressed promise of reward for
complying with a sexually‐oriented suggestion;
(3) Actual reprisal or denial of opportunity, or an
expressed or implied threat of reprisal or denial
of opportunity for a refusal to comply with a
sexually‐oriented suggestion;
(4) Sexually‐oriented remarks or behaviour on the
part of a person who knows or ought reasonably
to know that such remarks or behaviour may
create a negative psychological or emotional
environment for work, study or participation in a
University-related activity or program.
Information on Dalhousie’s policy on sexual
harassment is available from members of the Sexual
Harassment Resource Group and from the Harassment
Prevention Advisor.
The policy is also available on the University’s web site
at hrehp.dal.ca
Sexual harassment can include:
Verbal:
• Sexual innuendo
• Gender-specific insults
• Suggestive or derogatory humour, jokes or
comments emphasizing sex, gender-specific
traits or sexual orientation
• Sexual propositions or invitations
• Threats of a sexual nature
• Homophobic remarks
• Inappropriate or uncalled for comments about
one’s body or dress
• Persistent unwanted contact after the end of a
consensual relationship
Non-verbal/non-contact:
• Suggestive staring or leering
• Suggestive and/or derogatory sounds or gestures
emphasizing sex or sexual orientation
• Inappropriate displays or distribution of sexually
suggestive and/or derogatory pictures, objects,
writing or graffiti, including electronic and hard
copy forms
• Unauthorized distribution of sexually- explicit
material involving specific individuals
• Persistent unwanted contact after the end of a
consensual relationship
• Stalking
Physical Contact:
• Unnecessary or unwanted physical contact
of a sexual nature such as patting, touching,
pinching or brushing against a person’s body
• Persistent unwanted physical contact after the
end of a consensual relationship
• Sexual assault (acquaintance sexual assault is
more common than assault by a stranger)
Sexual harassment is not:
• Interactions between consenting adults
• Mutual attraction or flirtation
• Consensual relationships
• Expressions of affection between friends
Consequences of sexual
harassment
Sexual harassment is prohibited by Human Rights
legislation and is not tolerated at Dalhousie. Engaging
in sexually harassing behaviours can result in
disciplinary action.
Someone who has been sexually harassed
may experience:
• physical and emotional distress
• disruptions in their personal, academic,
employment and social lives
• withdrawal and/or difficulty interacting with
others
• loss of interest in their area of work or study
• loss of or resignation from their job or
academic program