What is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment is defined as an unwanted and offensive sexual act or remark. This encompasses a wide range of behaviors, including but not limited to inappropriate comments, suggestive gestures, and unsolicited physical contact that creates a hostile or uncomfortable environment for the recipient. The key aspects of this definition are the "unwanted" nature of the actions and the "offensive" impact they have on the individual experiencing the harassment.

In contrast, a mutual romantic advance implies consent and a willingness from both parties, which does not align with the definition of harassment. A formal complaint about inappropriate contact refers to the process of reporting harassment rather than defining it. Lastly, a consensual relationship between classmates involves mutual agreement and acceptance, which is the opposite of the non-consensual nature of harassment. Therefore, understanding sexual harassment involves recognizing that it is inherently about actions that are not welcomed or desired by the recipient.