Le Cause du Jour

September 3, 2013

Sexual Assault & Harassment

Social issues seem to characterize various periods in time and mold those involved in them. Mine was civil rights and the vicarious choice of a war in Southeast Asia. If what institutions tend to emphasize is any indication of the current state of social affairs, then sexual assault and harassment rank near the top. Our Peace Corps training in Monrovia spent almost an entire morning on these subjects overrunning the original two hours at the expense of shortening other subjects such as language, Emergency Actions Plans, and practical living tips on what we might expect in Liberia.

Sexual assault, what it is and how to avoid and protect yourself, was clear. However, what constituted sexual harassment included such a wide definition that almost any action interrupted to be harassment either directly or indirectly, was considered a reportable offense and the offended party always never at fault. The issue that men could also be sexually harassed and purposely teased was not a topic for discussion. In fact, I was called out of a meeting by the new Country Director and politely advised on being “politically correct”. As to who was offended or in what way the suggestion of male sexual harassment could possibly be offensive was confidentially withheld.

At Cuttington University, where I am now assigned, a sexual harassment lecture was also given but to the predominately male faculty by a female administrator. The session also included university policies prohibiting sex-for-grades. The university had conducted a survey in which 33% of female students reported being harassed by faculty. The men were furious and indeed offended by these broad accusations. They then proceeded to recite numerous texts, sitting with legs spread in the classroom, seductive clothing, and direct sexual solicitations by students. Just how the university defined “harassment” was not stated.

Maybe my daughter was right about my need for sensitivity training, but she may be wrong in over simplifying complex issues. Fortunately a 70+ female Peace Corps Volunteer joked during the Sexual Harassment Orientation that she was looking forward to being harassed. Amen.