The concept of “harassment” encompasses various forms of psychological (and sometimes physical) oppression. The term itself has English roots. The word is used to denote words, gestures, actions that can humiliate a person, put psychological pressure on him . Let us further consider the features of harassment: what it is, how it manifests itself. The article will also provide some recommendations to curb illegal actions.
Harassment - what is it?
In Russia, this word is used primarily to refer to sexual harassment. Meanwhile, different behaviors may occur. This can be sexual hints, jokes, touches (supposedly random), as well as threats, blackmail, and more.
Quite often there is harassment at work . For example, an attractive employee is offered sexual contact in exchange for an increase, and in case of refusal they begin to threaten or blackmail.
It is worth saying that cases of harassment are noted in the framework of different relations, where there is a certain dependence or hierarchy. It is, for example, about the relationship between the teacher and the student, the patient and the doctor. In such cases, a person’s refusal to communicate or open resistance always entails negative consequences. At the same time, at the initial stages, the victim does not always understand that this is a harassment , since everything always starts innocently. In such situations, it is important to immediately adequately assess the situation and take measures for its further development.
Anyone can become a victim of sexual harassment , regardless of age or gender. The consequences of harassment are often very serious. First of all, the human psyche suffers. In addition, physical force is often used against victims.
Goals
It should be noted right away that harassment is not always aggressive behavior aimed at satisfying sexual needs. Often a person simply enjoys his ability to disrupt the normal course of someone’s life, to control the situation. He receives a certain power over the victim, feels impunity.
It is quite difficult to prove the fact of psychological harassment . That is why many cases of harassment remain unknown. This, in turn, does not contribute to improving the regulatory framework.
Legal defense in the West
The harassment problem is well known in Europe and America. Foreign legal practice provides for penalties for sexual harassment. In Russia, unfortunately, there are gaps in the legislation on this issue.
The case of harassment in America was first considered in 1975. Since then, such proceedings have become a phenomenon in judicial practice.
In the United States, a whole system has been developed to prevent harassment. The victim of harassment must first send a warning to the aggressor about the wrongfulness and inadmissibility of his behavior. After that, a school or labor commission is formed. At its meeting, the evidence collected is examined and, if there is guilt, appropriate measures are applied to the perpetrator.
Many educational institutions in the United States have a kind of "student codes", as well as instructions for different situations, including harassment. The leadership of the institution, in addition, may prohibit any hazing between teachers and students.
The situation in Russia
If the case of harassment becomes known, then it usually causes a wide resonance. As a rule, the situation is resolved by the dismissal of the perpetrator.
Countering harassment in the Russian Federation is complicated by the fact that the regulations do not contain provisions that reveal the concept of harassment, which regulate legal protection against it.
Nevertheless, it is still possible to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Responsibility
The previous Criminal Code of the RSFSR contained 118 articles, according to which, an entity could be held accountable, forcing a woman, who depends on him on an official or material plane, into sexual contact. Today, such a norm is absent in the legislation.
However, the Criminal Code provides for 133 articles. It establishes liability for coercion to sexual contact, including homosexual nature, as well as other similar actions through threats, blackmail, using the official, material or other dependence of the victim on the perpetrator.
It should be noted that the act provided for in subsection 133 (1) relates to assaults of minor gravity. A crime that infringes on the sexual integrity of a minor is classified as moderate. Many lawyers believe that the responsibility for such actions should be tightened.
How to protect yourself from harassment
Often, harassment victims regard the increased attention to their persona as a compliment, so they do not take any measures to suppress the first manifestations. However, soon this usually ends in extremely disastrous condition. In this connection, experts recommend starting to act from the very beginning.
It should be understood that neither appearance, nor age, nor any other factors can serve as an excuse for the guilty. To avoid negative consequences, one should record all manifestations of illegal actions, their time, place, character. It is advisable to seek the support of witnesses.
Already at the initial stages of harassment, it is necessary to develop a certain tactic of behavior. If the aggressor constantly strives for close contact, insists on meetings, etc., these actions are unpleasant, then you need to tell him about it. It is likely that there will be an open conflict. However, in this case, others can come to the rescue.
It is possible that the person did not want to cause inconvenience - the explanations will help to dot all i. If the conversation did not help and the person continues to harass, then it is obvious that there is a harassment. In no case should you give up your positions and endure unpleasant actions. To prevent them, you must contact the law enforcement authorities.
What to do if a loved one is a victim of harassment
In such situations, the support of others and their trust will be of particular importance. You should not try to look for the causes of harassment in the victim’s behavior. The aggressor is always to blame.
Particular attention should be paid to the manifestations of harassment in educational institutions. In such situations, parents and other educators must take decisive action. It is necessary to jointly develop tactics of action. The unlawful behavior of one teacher in this case should not cast a shadow on the educational institution as a whole. The administration of the institution must promptly respond to all such cases and involve law enforcement agencies in the proceedings.
Harassment at school has an extremely negative impact on the psyche of students. Timely help of psychologists and other specialists is important here. Moreover, it must be effective and extremely delicate.
Main excuse
Often, aggressors shift the blame for their actions on the victim of the attack. This often happens with school harassment. Meanwhile, the student, regardless of his behavior, is always in a more vulnerable position than the teacher. In such situations, there can be no question of identifying who started first. Here the responsibility always lies with the teacher.
The teacher is not only distinguished by certain experience and age. The teacher should understand that he has an increased responsibility for what is happening. Teachers should have a clear idea of pedagogical ethics.
Common forms
Harassment can manifest itself in many ways. Its main forms can be considered:
- Verbal manifestations. We are talking about comments about appearance, physique, clothing, age. The aggressor may well pass from indecent remarks to the offer of sexual contact, threats, promises about career growth, etc.
- Nonverbal manifestations. Among them, one can include frank looking at a person, demonstrating materials of a sexual orientation, etc.
- Physical manifestations. They are expressed in touches, hugs, kisses, etc. If the aggressor is persistent, then even rape is possible.
Conclusion
Any person can become a victim in a variety of circumstances, including an eyewitness to the manifestation of harassment. Inappropriate behavior should not be allowed. If you do not take measures to suppress actions at the very beginning of their manifestation, the consequences can be very deplorable.