Sexual Harassment

Running Head: Sexual Harassment

Sexual Harassment in the Medical Field

By: Elizabeth Fifield

Davenport University

Health Care Law and Ethics

June 10th 2010

Abstract: The following paper will include information and statistics on the occurrence of sexual harassment in the medical field.

There is a fine line between what people consider sexual harassment. To me someone showing you a perverted joke at work is no big deal, it’s funny even, but to others it could be offensive and sexual harassment. I consider sexual harassment to be repeated sexual advance on a person after they have made themselves clear that the advances are not welcome. The dictionaries definition of sexual harassment is a little clearer and is stated below.

Sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors and any other conduct of a sexual nature, or creation of a hostile atmosphere, or abuse of a position of power in a relationship through sexual behavior or language. There are many different forms of sexual harassment physical, nonverbal, verbal or visual.

Physical sexual harassment can be anything from an unwanted butt grab to full blown assault or prevention from a person trying to escape. An example or physical sexual harassment could be if DR. Smith makes it a habit of grazing your butt every time he walks past you. If this occurred only once it could be put off as an accident but repeated offenses are considered sexual harassment especially if you have made it clear to DR. Smith that you do not appreciate his actions.

Nonverbal sexual harassment is when you make sexual gestures or looks at someone. For example licking your lips and blowing kisses at a less than enthusiastic nurse is sexual harassment.

Verbal sexual harassment is usually the most common and pertains to any sexual jokes or innuendos or any sexual comments made repeatedly to someone. For example if someone finds it funny every day during lunch to tell dirty and offensive...