Sexual Harassment Definitions

Q: I'm asking whether most men would agree that acts performed in the workplace, such as Clinton's exposure act in front of Paula Jones, should be prosecuted as indecent exposure, instead of sexual harassment. Well, for one thing, most men aren't going to expose themselves without some sort of invitation, or outside of an intimate setting, so I don't see most men being worried about what that's called. For another, I'm not terribly concerned about what most people think. I'm concerned about what's right or fair.

A:.I don't agree. If a White/Asian/Hispanic, etc., person grew up in a community without contact with Blacks, they'd be in the same situation concerning knowing what is considered discrminatory against Blacks as a person would be on the sexual harassment issue. They could, and do, claim ignorance on occasion. It is up to those judging these

cases as to whether they can get away with that claim. The person making the claim that they didn't know an act they committed was inappropriate should have to deal with the consequences. Company policies and laws should provide clear guidelines concerning what a sexually harassing act is. A person who doesn't understand the guidelines concerning sexual harassment is no different than a person who doesn't understand the guidelines concerning racial discrimination. Both people shouldn't be able to claim ignorance and have it be an excuse - the act should be considered for what it is, not for how clearly the victimizer understood how damaging his crime was against his victim.