Sexual Harassment in America

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According to Webster’s online dictionary, it is believed that the phrase “sexual harassment” was coined at Cornell University in 1974 ("Sexual harassment," 2011). The phrase wasn’t, however, really used in common language until the testimony of Anita Hill against Clarence Thomas in 1991. Sexual harassment can take many different shapes and forms. According to a Fox News article, the sexual harassment claims made by men have increased twofold in the last twenty years ("Sexual harassment claims," 2010). Because sexual harassment is illegal both on a federal and state level in many states, there are steps that an individual and employer should take to prevent sexual harassment.

On June 19, 1963, President John F. Kennedy sent an extensive Civil Rights legislation proposition to Congress ("Pre 1965: events," 2011). This proposed legislation faced fierce opposition in Congress. Five days after the assassination of President Kennedy, President Johnson spoke to Congress and told them that we have spoken of civil rights for too long and that it was time to put our country’s words into action. Kennedy’s legislation faced many legislative struggles that forced changes and compromises to ensure there would be no filibusters in the Senate that would kill the proposal. Despite all of the opposition, President Kennedy’s proposed Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964 and was set into action the following year.

The 1964 Civil Rights Act created the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, also known as the EEOC. One of the primary jobs of the EEOC is to uphold the rules and regulations that were laid out by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. According to the EEOC’s webpage, “Title VII covers private, most pu...

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Pre 1965: events leading to the creation of the EEOC. (2011). Retrieved August 15, 2011, from http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/history/35th/pre1965/index.html

Sexual harassment. (2011). Retrieved on July 26, 2011, from http://www1.eeoc.gov//laws/types/sexual_harassment.cfm?renderforprint=1

Sexual harassment. (2011). Retrieved on August 15, 2011, from http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definitions/Sexual%20Harassment?cx=partner-pub-0939450753529744%3Av0qd01-tdlq&cof=FORID%3A9&ie=UTF-8&q=Sexual%20Harassment&sa=Search#922

Sexual harassment claims filed by men doubled in last 20 years. (2010, March 04). Retrieved on August 15, 2011, from http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/04/sex-harassment-claims-filed-men-doubled-years/

Title vii of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. (2011). Retrieved July 26, 2011, from http://www1.eeoc.gov/laws/statutes/titlevii.cfm

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