7 Weird Forms of Sexual Harassment That You Need to Know

Sexual harassment as defined by the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC) is, “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.”

All forms of sexual harassment are traumatizing and experienced by many people.

Women, unfortunately, find themselves victimized by sexual harassment. Are you worried you may have experienced harassment?

Keep reading for a list of the weirdest harassment cases and stories we’ve found!

1. Graphic Conversations with Management

Sexual harassment doesn’t always have to be physical.

Have you ever had a co-worker or even a manager, describe to you in graphic details their sex lives? Or have you had to listen to conversations about genitalia that put you in an awkward situation?

This can be a very bizarre circumstance no matter how sexually enlightened you may be. Conversations like this, especially with members of management, are definitely sexual harassment.

Many women have described being exposed to improper work conversations. That in male-dominated fields can put them in precarious positions.

This sort of exclusionary behavior can lead to even worse forms of harassment if not stopped.

2. You’re Attacked Based On Your Sexual Orientation

LGBT persons can face many forms of discrimination and harassment in their lives.

Sexual harassment based on sexual orientation is a very big issue. Comments in the workplace about your orientation should be off limits.

This type of harassment can lead to a hostile work environment. If it continues it will put your life in danger.

If you feel like you are being harassed based on your sexuality, you should report it immediately.

3. Unwanted Physical Advances Endanger Men Too

Sexual harassment can be physical too.

But being approached without your permission can come in many forms. Many women have described being touched by men they work with. This can be as simple as a hand stroke. Or as blatant as a hand slipping beneath a skirt.

But men are often victims of this sort of harassment and it is often ignored. With the rise of the #MeToo movement, men have been coming forward with their stories of sexual harassment.

Terry Crews has been very vocal on his history of sexual assault. The prominent actor has described his graphic harassment in many interviews. And has become a vocal advocate for better harassment prevention.

Men will often refuse to report any attacks made against them, based on stigma. Social scientists believe the definition of sexual harassment may differ between the sexes.

4. Promotion for Sexual Favors

Has your boss ever approached you and asked for a favor? A favor that may win you a promotion? Or other cool job perk?

What happens if this favor happens to be sexual in nature. And if you say no? Well, that could mean a sudden and unexplained termination.

This type of sexual harassment is prevalent in many male-dominated industries.

Men in power often enjoy forcing women to do what they want. Often under threat of ruination and even physical assault.

5. Hostile Behavior Can Endanger Lives

Sexual harassment puts victims in a precarious position.

Some may feel that if they report, they will be the ones getting reprimanded. Or if the perpetrator isn’t punished harshly enough, the harassment could escalate further.

An example of this is found in the court case: Melissa Clerking & Lindsey Allison v. Long Beach Police Department.

Melissa Clerking and Lindsey Allison were victims of extreme harassment. Their co-workers made their lives hellish during their tenure with the Long Beach Police Department.

The harassment they both faced eventually led to them quitting the force. They then took their entire police department to court.

According to their reports, the women were put in situations that endangered their lives. And when they protested, they were verbally attacked by their male counterparts.

One of the women was even attacked by the K-9 squad dogs. The other was threatened by her fellow officers when she broke up with their supervisor.

Obviously, neither woman was safe in this work environment. And when they sued, they won the case with ease. There was even a movie made about their experience.

6. Unfair Termination After Rejection

Victims of harassment may find themselves fired from their jobs after saying no.

The #MeToo movement is so powerful because it came to light that many Hollywood starlets had been assaulted by Harvey Weinstein. And when they had told him no, or threatened to report him, he essentially destroyed their lives or careers.

This form of harassment can be seen in daily, everyday life too.

Many women are victimized for reporting their attackers. Termination from their jobs can ruin their careers. And then they have to live with the trauma of their assault.

7. Digital Attacks

The final form of unusual workplace sexual harassment are cyber attacks

Many women can become victims of digital sexual assault. These can involve stolen personal pictures. Or even graphic messages from co-workers. It may even involve stolen identities. Or physical assaults.

Digital harassment runs rampant in many forums. For example, in 2014 there was a mass attack of women called “Gamergate.”

Prominent women in the video game industry were sexually assaulted by men. These men felt they were threatened by their presence in what they viewed was “a man’s only world.”

The women received threats on their social media, received death threats through their work email, and were physically attacked in their workplaces.

Many had their personal photos and information stolen and exploited online.

While digital forms of sexual harassment don’t often go so far as this example, it’s still something to be aware of.

There Are Many Forms of Sexual Harassment

Unfortunately, there are many forms of sexual harassment. And it is something many people face in the workplace.

If you feel like you are being harassed or victimized, be sure to bring it up with your employer, or HR manager. And if your life is endangered, do not hesitate to file a police report. And if you need legal advice, the US Attorneys sexual harassment lawyers will be able to help you.

If you would like to learn about some other weird things, explore our website!

Weirdomatic is the place where all weird things come to life through the amazing world of photographs – a corner of our wild imagination or the whimsical face of the reality?