Sexual Assault is defined as illegal sexual contact against an individual by force who is incapable of giving consent, while Sexual Harassment is defined to be harassment in a professional or social setting in which an individual is met with unwanted sexual remarks and/or advances. Though defined to be different, both Sexual Assault and Harassment are incredibly consistent throughout the United States, especially at the workplace. Throughout the years, it has become a repeating conflict in which individuals are faced with when at a setting in which they should be safe. Sexual Assault/Harassment is an overwhelmingly relevant social injustice that needs to be brought to the attention of individuals in not only the United States, …show more content…
Individuals who experienced sexual assault/harassment at the workplace are often unaware if what they experienced was harassment or assault. There are many different ways one can be assaulted/harassed such as verbal or written harassment(comments on a person’s clothing or body), physical assault(inappropriate touching, kissing, blocking movement), nonverbal harassment(derogatory gestures or facial expressions indicating a sexual nature), and visual harassment(drawings, pictures, or emails)(Sister Namibia 15). There are a multitude of cases that have become extremely frequent regarding sexual harassment/assault in the workplace, showing the prevalence of this social injustice. An article written by Bethany Hagen has surfaced in which she recollects her experience with sexual harassment while working in publishing. The man, a powerful best selling author, used a hug as an opportunity to touch her breasts (Hagen 92). In the theatre community, various recollections of sexual misconduct have surfaced as well, many of employees of theatres large and small who include perpetrators such as actors, artistic directors and freelance artists. After gaining knowledge of the …show more content…
Safe places are necessary for individuals who have experienced sexual harassment/assault, and safety sometimes involves anonymity. Though, speaking out can lead to less positive exposure for a company, discouraging victims into staying silent (Hagen 92). This is an example of corruption in companies, which can be crucial to preventing sexual harassment/assault in the workplace. In order for a decline of harassment/assault in the workplace to occur, there needs to be attention towards the imbalance of power and justice faced by all employees in the workplace. There needs to be focus put on how to make it safe for employees to come forward with their stories, that individuals who come forward will be believed and supported, and there needs to be attention towards the gap of power between individuals in the workplace (Hagen 92). Corruption, intimidation, and manipulation in companies is not only evident through cases of sexual harassment/assault, but also throughout the entirety of The Grapes of