Introduction:  The year 2017 marked the enlightening that sexual harassment can be hidden only so long before it is revealed, and that it is much more prevalent than we cared to believe. Headlines made public a number of sexual harassment claims, and their numbers and shock factors increased as the year ended. New reports of sexual assault and harassment claims continue to come to light in 2018, with numerous men having their reputations damaged and falling from their positions of prominence or power. The industries most affected by recent allegations are business, entertainment, the media and in politics.

 Sexual Harassment

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), in their Prohibited Employment Policies/Practices forbids every aspect of discrimination in employment. Harassment is a form of employment discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, (ADA).

Harassment is unwelcome conduct based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. Harassment becomes unlawful where:

1. enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of continued employment, or
2. the conduct is severe or pervasive enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive.

Anti-discrimination laws also prohibit harassment against individuals in retaliation for filing a discrimination charge, testifying, or participating in any way in an investigation, proceeding, or lawsuit under these laws; or opposing employment practices that they reasonably believe discriminate against individuals, in violation of these laws. A supervisor that tells an employee she will not get a raise unless she performs a sexual act with him is harassment. An employee who has suggestive cartoons all over his desk that are visible to passersby is harassment by making an uncomfortable environment.

The law prohibits harassment that is sexual in nature. It is unlawful to harass a person (an applicant or employee) because of that person's sex. Harassment can include "sexual harassment" or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.