While people can explicitly engage in sexual harassment in various settings, some behaviors might not be so clear-cut in terms of whether or not they constitute sexual misconduct.
The more subtle manifestations of sexual harassment in schools, the workplace, and other locations are on the increase, making it more challenging to determine what is and is not acceptable.
If you are unsure about whether an action or behaviour is sexual harassment, consider consulting a supervisor, human resources employee or the internet to ensure that you or someone else is not crossing a line.
More so, this article summarizes the meaning of sexual harassment as well as outlines 3 ways men sexually harass women without knowing it. Stick around till the end to learn more.
Table of Contents
What is Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment is defined as any unwanted sexual behaviour that is offensive, intimidating, or humiliating. Sexual harassment in a learning environment or the workplace typically includes requests for sexual favours, unwanted sexual advances, and other physical or verbal sexual misconduct.

Who Can Be Sexually Harassed?
When most individuals think of sexual harassment, they imagine a young woman getting assaulted by her male employer. While this is frequently the case, workplace harassment affects all kinds of people.
That said, the law recognizes sexual harassment among various groups of individuals. Misconduct can occur among the following:
- Men can harass other men.
- Men can get harassed by women.
- Women can harass other women.
- The harasser can be old or young.
- The victim can be old or young.
- Harassment can happen between students.
- Harassment can happen between co-workers.
- Harassment can happen between a supervisor and their subordinate.
- You can get harassed by people who don’t work at your organization or go to your school.
How Can a Man Sexually Harass a Woman Without Knowing
Non-Verbal Sexual Harassment
Non-verbal sexual misconduct is defined as any inappropriate sexual communication or behaviour that doesn’t involve verbal messages and physical sexual contact. It includes sending sexually explicit text messages and emails, and acts like:
- Exposing oneself to other people.
- Blocking a doorway or passageway.
- Winking at an unfamiliar person or blowing kisses at them.
- Sending or showing sexually-explicit pictures or videos.
- Placing sexually visual elements or pornographic material, like posters, drawings, cartoons, pinups, pictures, calendars, and sexually themed computer programs around others.
- Stalking, following, or staring at someone.
Physical Sexual Contact
Based on the intensity of the encounter, unsolicited physical contact is classified as either sexual assault or sexual harassment. Physical contact that may involve sexual harassment or may bridge the gap between sexual assault and sexual harassment includes:
- Any type of unwanted touching.
- Grabbing, rubbing, groping, pinching, or patting.
- Unsolicited kissing or hugging.
Quid Pro Quo
Quid pro quo refers to a Latin phrase meaning something in exchange for something else. Quid pro quo sexual harassment is the act of swapping sexual favours for something, which could be a benefit (such as career advancement) or the avoidance of a disadvantage (not getting fired).
Quid pro quo misconduct is typically perpetrated by those in positions of power against a subordinate, like a supervisor against a junior employee. The reciprocal exchange does not have to be outrightly stated; it could be suggested or implied. The following are some examples of quid pro quo:
- Threatening to take away an opportunity or employment if the victim rejects sexual advances.
- Withholding a raise or promotion till the victim gives in to sexual acts.
- Requesting for sexual acts in exchange for employment, promotions, or other opportunities.
- Putting an employee under pressure to accept unwanted sexual advances.

Other examples of sexual harassment include:
- Making sexual jokes or sexual comments.
- Making sexually offensive phone-calls.
- Making sexually-inappropriate comments about people’s genders, clothes, bodies, or behaviours.
- Spreading rumors or telling lies about an individual’s personal or sexual life.
- Making sexually oriented insults or discriminatory remarks to a person or group of people.
- Even if sexual misconduct is tolerated, it may create a hostile learning or work environment for those who know about it.
Bottom Line
While sexual harassment can be done explicitly, it can also be indirect or done without realizing one is doing it. Harassment in this context usually involves behaviours or actions that humiliate, intimidate, scare, or offend people. Keep in mind that sexual harassment doesn’t only occur between a man and a woman, but can also happen with people of the same gender
Therefore, it is necessary that individuals pay action to the manner in which they relate with people to avoid harassing them sexually. If you’re not sure whether or not a behaviour constitutes sexual harassment, ensure you consult various sources like your supervisor, a counsellor, a HR worker, or the internet.