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Sexual harassment at work can become an inferno

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By Cristina Zurutuza *

Sexuality through us all human beings. We sexed bodies from birth. But that does not mean someone should always be available for the sexual desires of anyone. And this is where sexuality intersects with the customs and cultural stereotypes. In Argentina, particularly Buenos Aires, men are often confused signals, a miniskirt, a direct look into his eyes, uninhibited sympathy ... and assumed that this girl or woman "shot thing", and if he refuses to male requirements, is quickly labeled as "hysterical" and reviled in a circle of friends or publicly.

Sexuality lost solemnity (which is good) but on certain occasions or contexts has been trivialized, and that's bad. In fact, not always taken seriously the issue of sexual harassment at work. When harassment occurs in the workplace can become an inferno. In particular, when the request comes from a superior, for example: requests for sexual favors in exchange for getting or keeping a job work. But there are also companions or colleagues who may exercise harassment and creating persecutory or discriminatory atmosphere to the victim.

All and all we know there daily, but usually tends to motivate children jokes or comments, or blaming the victim. However, experts indicate that long-term consequences of sexual harassment can be as devastating as the rape.

In the U.S., employment law defines it as any interest or inappropriate sexual behavior and / or unwanted at work when the workplace becomes an intimidating or hostile environment for the victim. An organization of nurses in Ireland, quoted by the Tripartite Commission on Equal Opportunities (CTIO), Ministry of Labour is defined as unrequited or desired behavior of a sexual nature that is offensive to the other person because that person is feel threatened, humiliated or embarrassed.

How to defend? Depend on the contexts and situations, but overall, it's good to make clear one's intentions and desires, firmly but without anger, if possible. Have witnesses, not being alone with the bully, create a public climate of the situation. You can get right to raise a complaint to superiors or the union, but we must bear in mind that angry or have violent reactions can lead to retaliation or worse.

It is therefore important for the victim to build alliances and a context of peers that help visualize the situation clearly, but without violence. While the typical harassment is generally defined as touching or fondling, may include systematic rude or lewd comments, sexual jokes, intentional, repeated demeaning references highlighting body parts, etc. It is actually the victim who must make it clear that such conduct will result humiliating violation of privacy.

Why talk in the feminine? Because cultural stereotypes have inertia and women remain sex objects for men, men more than women. In short, the field of sexuality remains one of the areas conducive to deploy discriminatory acts and behavior toward women.

What in the world of diversity? Of course it's possible sexual harassment gay or lesbian, always the victim who is most vulnerable. It is not about sexuality, but of power.

* Degree in Psychology, PhD in Political Science.