QUEZON City, Philippines (February 18) – Sexual harassment is generally emotional and/or verbal abuse that is sexual in nature, like sexual name-calling or jokes, or continued sexual propositions or sexual attention after a person has already said no. Rape and/or sexual assault or abuse is a person forcing someone, physically, verbally or emotionally, to engage in any given sexual activity.
Have you experience being cat-called while walking down the street? Perhaps he inappropriately compliments you on your top or shames you on the length of your skirt and maybe you just want to take a drink to relieve your stress and someone take this as his chance to do something that will harass you? Sadly, said acts were usually perceived as normal and harmless, especially if the person subjected to such attention is not aware or educated about the matter.
Most of the situations mentioned above is generally ignored by those at the receiving end. That is not alright. People, especially women, need to realize what’s acceptable and what is not. We must make sure that perpetrators of sexual harassment know that they would not be tolerated.
Most of the people accused of sexual harassment or sexual assault have their own excuses – usually saying that it’s the victims fault like “they’re too sexy”, “They dress immodestly”, “They were asking for it”, and sometimes they even accuse the victim of lying or being over dramatic.
Society as whole should not believe such excueses. Sexual harassment cannot be justified by said excuses. Said offense do not happen because the victim has seduced the offender and created an overwhelming sexual desire. These things happen because the offender feels power and control in such situations. People get assaulted outside and inside their homes. People get assaulted in long skirts and short skirts. People who met a given cultures ideal of beauty gets assaulted and people get assaulted even if they don’t. People get assaulted by strangers and by people they know, sometimes even by people they trusted the most.
It helps to know what acts can be considered as inappropriate sexual advances as well as precursors that lead to sexual assault. Such knowledge will help you avoid becoming a victim. But if you already experienced harassment don’t worry, there are some steps that you can take to stop and protect your right to a legal remedy. Don’t be scared to talk to someone especially, the authorities, and discuss the facts of your particular situation to ensure your legal rights and protection
Always remember, that it’s not your fault!
Reference: http://www.scarleteen.com/article/abuse_assault/was_it_sexual_harassment_was_it_my_fault
(written by Mia Caragay, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Lovely Ann Cruz)
