Examples of Sexual Harassment Behavior
Unlawful sexual harassment may take many forms, including but not limited to:
Verbal Conduct such as epithets, derogatory comments, slurs or unwanted sexual advances, invitations or comments: Other examples include such conduct as persistent, unwanted sexual or romantic attention, discussion of and rating sexual attributes and attractiveness or asking or commenting about someone’s sexuality or sex life.
Visual/Electronic Conduct such as derogatory posters, cartoons,
calendars and drawings. NOTE: All members of the Belmont community
should be aware that information transmitted electronically-by
telephone, voice mail, e-mail or other computer-based
communication-is subject to the same rules and laws that apply to
written and oral communications. In addition, the
university’s computer use policy prohibits the
communication of obscene or other inappropriate information over
university-owned equipment.
Physical Conduct such as assault, blocking normal movement or
interference with work that is sexual in nature and directed at an
individual because of his/her gender
Threats and Demands to submit to sexual requests in order to keep a
job, or academic status, or to avoid some other loss and offers of
job benefits or academic opportunity in return for sexual
favors
Retaliation for having reported the harassment
Obscene Materials must be both: (1) materials in which a reasonable
person, applying contemporary Belmont community standards, when
considering the contents as a whole, would conclude that they
appeal to prurient sexual/physical interests or violently
subordinating behavior rather than an intellectual or communicative
purpose, and (2) materials that, taken in to regarding their
content and their particular usage or application, lack any
redeeming literary, scientific, political, artistic or social
value.
The university is committed to dealing expeditiously with instances
of sexual misconduct and to protecting the anonymity and
confidentiality of the victims. While most victims of sexual
harassment or assault are women, male victims will receive the same
protection.
For further information concerning disciplinary sanctions,
procedures victims should follow, university and community support
services and public relations for incidents of sexual harassment or
sexual assault, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students.
