Sexual harassment

Heart with a chain across

Sexual harassment, sexual assault, rape - simply put: different forms of sexual violence - are sexual things done to you against your will. It includes everything from getting cat called, somebody pinching your butt, or somebody having sex with you even though you don’t want to.

The estimated number of unknown cases (crimes that are never reported) of sex crimes is huge - at least 80% of cases aren’t reported. The cause of this could be that it’s a difficult process, or a fear of not being taken seriously

Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment means all sorts of abuse that alludes to, or hints at, sex. Only you decide what feels like a violation against you. If your gut feeling tells you that something feels wrong, trust in it! If it feels wrong, it is wrong, regardless of whether the other person meant to be mean. Unfortunately, it’s very common, both at school and at work, but also out in public and on the internet - just about anywhere. All persons, of any gender, can be sexually harassed, which is illegal since sexual harassment counts as discrimination. All schools and workplaces are required to have plans of action and routines to handle those kinds of situations. If your school or workplace does not follow them, and support you, you have the right to report them to diskrimineringsombudsmannen (the equality ombudsman)!

Examples of sexual harassment

(There are many more examples than these!)

  • If someone touches you in places that feel intimate for you when you don’t want them to.

  • If someone pinches your butt.

  • If someone you meet in the streets, in the grocery store, or in a car comments on your appearance, wolf whistles or cat calls you.

  • If someone you encounter looks at you in a sexual way.

  • If someone spreads sexual rumours about you.

  • If someone shows you porn pictures.

  • If someone tells sexual jokes.

If you or someone else is sexually harassed…

… tell the person who is sexually harassing you or someone else off. If you feel safe enough doing it! Sometimes writing something or reaching out to someone for help can make it easier to put your foot down. Try and remain clear about what has made you uncomfortable. Give examples.

… talk to someone. The experience of having been sexualy harassed can be emotionally taxing to carry alone. Talk to someone you trust, they can confirm that what happened to you wasn’t right. They could be an adult at school, a parent, colleague, friend. Sometimes, you might need more help than that. In those cases, turn to you school’s social worker or mental health clinics, or a support group listed on this website.

… talk to others who have been harassed. If you witness someone getting harassed, it might be good to talk to them if you have the energy to, to make them feel seen. If it’s one person harassing multiple people, banding together can make it easier to tell them off.

Text by Therese Larsson, Trans- och Tjejjouren i Malmö

Translated by Dannie Milve, Förenade tjej-, trans- och ungdomsjourer