Sexual harassment was defined as "influencing, offering to influence, or threatening the career,
pay, or job of another person--woman or man--in exchange for sexual favors or deliberate or repeated
offensive comments, gestures, or physical contact of a sexual nature in a work or duty-related
environment." As it is defined here, please note that sexual harassment overlaps in some ways with the
issue of fraternization. In both it is essential to avoid conduct or appearance which show influence,
sexual favors, or offense.
Sexual harassment has been deemed unacceptable behavior both on and off the job. Particularly
leaders have a responsibility to recognize sexual harassment and to examine all suspected of actual
violations. But everyone can help in the process--men and women, officers and enlisted personnel.
Individuals who have been sexually harassed by supervisors, superiors, or peers should know
that such behavior is not tolerated in the US Army. All reports of sexual harassment should go through
the chain of command!
According to DA Pamphlet 350-20, sexual harassment can be grouped into four categories:
senior-subordinate abuse, verbal abuse, physical contact, and indecent actions and gestures. Harassing
behavior can range from subtle to blatant.
(1) Senior-subordinate abuse includes--
(a) Using authority to persuade for sexual favors (direct)
(b) Implying to influence for sexual favors (subtle)
(c) Offering to influence for sexual favors
(d) Threatening career, pay, or job for sexual favors
(2) Verbal Abuse includes--
(a) Using profanity
(b) Telling off-color jokes
(c) Making sexual comments
(d) Threats
(3) Physical contact includes--
(a) Pinching
(b) Bumping
(c) Grabbing
(d) Touching
(e) Cornering
(4) Indecent actions and gestures include--
(a) Leaving sexually suggestive notes
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