Information on Sexual Harassment

Interpreter’s Resource Shelf (appeared in RID VIEWS January, 2007, reprinted with permission)
Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S.

Information on Sexual Harassment
http://www.de2.psu.edu/harassment/

Originally created in 1995 by Professor Nancy Wyatt as a supplement to a course on gender and communication, this must-click resource offers extensive information on every conceivable aspect of sexual harassment. From the legal definitions of terms like “quid pro quo harassment” and “hostile work environment”, to an overview of how the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) works, to summaries of important court cases, this site makes the legalese comprehensible. The scope of the site is most impressive; the issue is presented from a variety of perspectives. Victims of sexual harassment will find guides for reporting and documenting the behavior, as well as contact information for relevant state agencies. Those accused of sexual harassment will find an overview of the complaint process and steps for defending themselves. Managers and supervisors will find a variety of resources for creating and enforcing sexual harassment policies and arranging training for employees. And those with a more theoretical bent will find pages of psychological theories attempting to explain the phenomenon and a history of sexual harassment legislation. There’s even a discussion of international perspectives on the issue. Extensive links to outside sites and an annotated bibliography provide fuel for further research. Whether you are a victim of sexual harassment, have been accused of it, are interpreting a meeting about it, or developing policies about it, this website is a fast, user-friendly way to begin.

This column appears monthly in VIEWS. Please direct questions, comments, or suggestions for resources to highlight in future issues to Kathy MacMillan at info@kathymacmillan.com.