Sexual harassment
Problem plagues both women, men
By LORI PUTNAM
Of ttw Emerald
In one women’s bathroom on
campus is a short list of profes
sors who allegedly sexually
harass female students.
But because sexual harass
ment is such a touchy issue, the
transition from bathroom-wall
scribble to an affirmative action
complaint often is shunned.
Under the Civil Rights Act,
sexual harassment is con
sidered sexual discrimination.
Although many admit it’s a
ing sexual harassment is its
broad definition.
Defined by the University as
any "unwanted and repeated
sexual remarks and behavior,"
harassment can be anything
from crude joking to rape.
McFadden says "repeated” in
the definition is important
because a comment may be
harassment to one person and a
compliment to another. “All of
us are socially inept some of the
time.”
Women should tell men when
‘Harassment is a power play
and an abuse of authority. ’
problem on campus, no one
knows its scope.
Affirmative action director
Bean McFadden says she can’t
tell if harassment problems at
the University are increasing or
decreasing.
Members of the Eugene
Women’s Council and the Rape
Relief Hotline also say they are
unsure of the extent of sexual
harassment in the Eugene area.
Regardless, sexual harass
ment is considered a serious
problem that can — and does —
affect students.
National studies indicate
women are embarassed to
report sexual harassment in
cidents. Several myths keep
women from reporting
harassment, the reports show,
including the idea that harass
ment is a personal matter
between a man and a woman.
According to this view, working
women or students who "can't
handle the heat should return to
the kitchen.”
Another myth is that women
must have done something
provocative to bring on the har
assment. But McFadden says
sexual harassment has nothing
to do with sex or romance.
"Sexual harassment," she
says, "is a power play and an
abuse of one’s position of auth
ority.”
Another problem with report
they’re offended or uncomfor
table by a comment, McFadden
advises.
But this solution isn’t perfect.
According to one report, men
and women are socialized to
believe women are coy and like
to play “hard to get.”
Secondly, women who face
harassment from men in auth
ority positions may not be in a
position to refuse sexual ad
vances. Working women with
children may not have the op
tion of quitting a job because of
harassment.
Sexual harassment can also
come from classmates, co
workers and clients who can
use subtle pressure to make the
classroom or office uncomfor
table.
Co-workers can use harass
ment as a power tool. It’s a way
for a man to reduce a woman he
sees as potential competition to
a cute girl or sex object, the
study says.
And harassment is not limited
to women. University GTF Dan
Henry says he has been har
assed by women, once by a
student.
“One woman told me I would
be damned to hell if I didn’t have
intimate relations with her,” he
says.
Women can make a man feel
guilty if he refuses her ad
vances, Henry says, because to
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not respond is considered un
masculine.
Despite the difficulties in
defining and reporting sexual
harassment, the University has
what is considered a good
weapon to stop harassment — a
formal and informal internal
grievance system.
Complaints usually are re
solved through an informal
procedure. A staff member talks
to the accused offender without
identifying the student who
made the complaint. No one at
the University has filed a formal
sexual harassment grievance in
two years, McFadden says.
The affirmative action office
will sponsor a workshop on
sexism and sexual harassment
in the spring, and McFadden
says Acting University Pres.
Paul Olum will re-issue a memo
on sexual harassment to all
professors and staff members.
WEEK OF THE
OPPRESSED
FEB. 9-13 167 EMU
The Muslim Students’ Association is sponsoring a
week of activities on the causes of oppressed people
in the world.
Mon, 2/9 NORTH AMERICA
Tues, 2/10 NORTH AMERICA
Wed, 2/11 LATIN AMERICA
Thur, 2/12 MIDDLE EAST AND FAR EAST
Fri, 2/13 AFRICA
For a complete schedule of events see the Briefs
column, or stop by our information table, room 167,
EMU Special Films
Thur, 2/12 “The Palestinian People Do Have
Rights.” A film by the United Nations, Room 177,
Lawrence $1.00
Fri, 2/13 — “Malcolm X.” Room 123, Science $1.50
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