Columbia University Health Services

Sexual Harassment is any unwanted sexual attention.

Sexual Harassment

• Can be intentional or unintentional.
• Creates an intimidating or hostile environment.
• Interferes with the student’s well-being.
• Is often directed toward a peer or subordinate.
• Is intertwined with many forms of violence and oppression against women.
• Is one of the most underreported crimes due to fear of retaliation and feelings of shame or guilt. Yet surveys show that 20-70% of all women college students experience some form of sexual harassment during their four years in college.
• Are behaviors unwanted by the recipient.

Types of Sexual Harassment

• Quid Pro Quo (Latin term meaning “This for That,” i.e., “If you go out with me, I will help you with . . .”)

• Benefits that depend on sexual favors.
• Punishments for refusing to conform to requests.

• Hostile Environment

• Repeated unwanted behavior
• Offensive conduct or comments

Sexual Harassment can be physical and non-physical:

• Stalking
• Leering
• Comments about a person’s body
• Sexist jokes or cartoons
• Pressure for dates
• Sexually explicit gestures
• Hooting, whistling, lip-smacking, and animal sounds
• Sexual innuendoes
• Leaning over, invading a person’s space
• Unwelcome touching or hugging
• Love letters, obscene emails

The Impact of Sexual Harassment

• Recipient feels victimized (may feel anxious, angry, embarrassed, guilty)
• Creates an uncomfortable learning environment
• Recipient’s school work suffers (may have difficulty concentrating, attending class, feeling safe in study spaces, office hours, or resident halls)
• Recipient may suffer from physical stress related symptoms (headaches, ulcers)
• Harasser may lose academic opportunities or be suspended (any other impacts for Harasser?)
• Recipient may be scared to report the harassment because of threats of retaliation (lowering grades, withholding recommendation, committing violence)

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Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Program (SVPRP) provides comprehensive and integrated education, support and advocacy about sexual and relationship violence. The program supports survivors and fosters individual and collective action to end sexual and relationship violence. 

For more information about nonconsensual relationships go to the Barnard-Columbia Rape Crisis/Anti-Violence Support Center. 

Disciplinary Procedure for Sexual Misconduct 212 854 1717 

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Columbia University Medical Center Campus 212 305 3400

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Medical Center Campus Public Safety x99 or 305-8100 

Columbia University Medical Center Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action 212 854 5511