Sexual Harassment

How many of you have a job or are planning on getting one soon? Now imagine it's your first day at work, and your boss walks up to you. Let's say he's in his late twenties or so. You think nothing of it. After all, you just got the job, he's most likely coming over to inform you of your responsibilities and show you the ropes of the place. He begins doing just that, letting you know how things work and so forth, when he puts his arm around your waist. That would make you feel a little uncomfortable, wouldn't it? That can be considered an offense of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment includes any form of unwanted sexual advances, whether it be requests for sexual favors, or verbal or physical conduct. Many types of sexual harassment, however, have become a normal part of society. First off, it could happen to anyone, because the offenders mainly want power; secondly, the act dehumanizes individuals, creating mental, physical, and financial issues; employers and employees need to be educated about the different types of sexual harassment so they can be aware and become sensitive to the ramification of the problem. Because the offenders crave power, anyone, including you, can be a victim of sexual harassment. Many think that it only happens to women, and while they are targeted most of the time, statistics show that the charges filed by males have increased greatly in the past decade (Sexual Harassment in the Workplace). "Supervisors and employers can grow accustomed to the power they have over their employees. Such closeness and intensity can blur the professional boundaries and lead people to step over the line (Sexual Harassment in the Workplace)." Employers can become so infatuated with having a sense of power over their employees that they suddenly believe they can do or say anything to them, and they love the fact that most victims are too scared to do anything about it. The offenders, however, are not always people in a higher position of power. The