--- title: "What is Sexual Harassment? | Sutter Health" description: "Sexual harassment isn’t limited to physical contact; it can also include verbal interaction. Find out the feelings and definitions of this illegal behavior." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/sexual-harassment" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Health and wellness](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health) / 3. Sexual Harassment # What is Sexual Harassment? Whether physical or verbal, sexual harassment is not only inappropriate — it’s illegal. * * * September 27, 2024Medically reviewed by Teens Participating in the Summer Wellness Programs Sexual harassment is any unwanted physical or verbal contact that is sexual or seems sexual. [It's a violation of sexual rights](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/sexual-rights) and it can happen almost anywhere — at school, at work, at home or in public. If somebody is making inappropriate comments or jokes that make you feel uncomfortable, even if it’s not about you, ask them to stop or report it to an adult. If it happens at school or work, tell a teacher or supervisor. ## How Does Sexual Harassment Feel? Somebody who is sexually harassed might feel: - Embarrassed - Angry - Helpless - Hopeless Someone who is sexually harassed may also have low self-confidence. Most kids also try to avoid situations in which they might encounter the harasser. However, it's better to deal with the problem with an adult’s help than to avoid it. ## What Does Sexual Harassment Include? Sexual harassment can be physical or verbal. It includes: - **Hostile environment** — A hostile environment occurs when another person makes you uncomfortable with staring, whistling, shouting, crude jokes, suggestive touching, stalking, tons of texts, emails or phone calls, or any other unwanted contact. - **Quid pro quo** — This is a Latin phrase that means “something for something.” It refers to a situation in which somebody in a position of power over you threatens to give you a bad grade, kick you off a team or not let you play, or get you in trouble if you don’t agree to the sexual act. It may also refer to a boss who bribes you with a better job or more pay in exchange for sexual favors. This person is inappropriately using their higher status above you, and it is illegal. In 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments was passed to outlaw gender discrimination and sexual harassment in schools and at school activities and functions. ## Resources - [National Center for Victims of Crimes: Youth Initiative](https://victimsofcrime.org/youth-initiative/ "Please note you are leaving the Sutter Health website.") ****Last Reviewed**: August 2019** ## Explore related topics [Teen's health](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/articles?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Teen%27s+health%22%5D%7D%2C%7B%22i%22%3A%22builtin.entityType%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Sutter+Health+Page%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&verticalKey=health-and-wellness)[Abuse and Violence](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/articles?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Abuse+and+Violence%22%5D%7D%2C%7B%22i%22%3A%22builtin.entityType%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Sutter+Health+Page%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&verticalKey=health-and-wellness) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","name":"What is Sexual Harassment? | Sutter Health","description":"Sexual harassment isn’t limited to physical contact; it can also include verbal interaction. 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