Engulfing the whole media and entertainment industry #MeToo movement has finally come to India as there are sadly many victims of it.
Through this several women came out bravely describing their encounters with sexual abuse at the workplace, subway stations, schools, etc.
Nowadays, the victims of Sexual harassment are not only women but also faced by men.
Most of us are not even aware of what harassment exactly means and how you can take action against it.
Somebody must be stalking you for a long time, somebody must have brushed through you just now, somebody must have just shouted at you which must have offended you but you won't say anything, some of you must be saving your job, some of you must be saving your reputation, some of you must be saving your relationship with your spouse’s friend.
But no one of you would speak, if you tried to, there must be many voices which might shut you.
In all abuses, sexual abuse is the one that disturbs a person not only physically but also mentally.
Its one of those behaviors that leaves a deep impact on a person, even after the situation is taken care of.
Sexual harassment is that conduct which leaves the victim in trauma and demeans the person to a level, where he loses his confidence.
Imagine a situation where you are in a dark room you cannot see anything and the most you fear is yourself, not the darkness.
You find every single reason to pull yourself down, you scream loud but except you, no one can hear you.
A victim of sexual harassment feels this every second.
It is not that you have been raped or physically abused, you call it sexual harassment.
But there are different types of harassment.
Let's get theoretically aware of such abuses that we might have encountered in our past in order to take care of our future.
Verbal Sexual Harassment
As mentioned above, sexual harassment is not only physical but also verbal.
Many people don’t even know that referring an adult as a hunk, doll, babe, etc., or passing sexual comments or whistling at someone, is also harassment and equally leaves a deep impact on the victim.
Here are some moves that come under Verbal Sexual Harassment:
Making sexual comments.
Turning work discussions on sexual topics.
Telling sexual jokes or stories.
Asking about sexual fantasies, preferences, or history.
Asking personal questions about social or sexual life.
Making kissing sounds, howling, and smacking lips.
Making sexual comments about a person's clothing, anatomy, or looks.
Repeatedly asking out a person who is not interested.
Telling lies or spreading rumors about a person's personal sex life.
Non-Verbal Sexual Harassment
Sometimes you may feel that someone is staring at you for a long time and you might feel uncomfortable.
This situation is an example of harassment, non-verbal sexual harassment.
Check out the moves that come under Non-verbal Sexual Harassment:
Looking a person up and down (Elevator eyes)
Staring at someone
Blocking a person's path
Following the person
Giving personal gifts
Displaying sexually suggestive visuals
Making sexual gestures with hands or through body movements
Making facial expressions such as winking, throwing kisses, or licking lips
Physical Sexual Harassment
Physical Harassment is very common nowadays, touching intentionally, bushing up against another person all such kind of acts come under physical sexual harassment.
Here are some moves which come under Physical Sexual Harassment:
Giving a massage around the neck or shoulders.
Touching the person's clothing, hair, or body.
Hugging, kissing, patting, or stroking.
Touching or rubbing oneself sexually around another person.
Standing close or brushing up against another person.
These are some listed acts that are considered to be sexual harassment but there are many more which are not even mentioned anywhere.
There are so many things that you must be facing in everyday life but still, are unaware of the fact that this can lead to a big problem.
If any of the above bothers you any way you should stop the person who is bothering you, then and there and raise your voice so that no one can trouble you again.
