Sexual Harassment Laws

Sexual Harassment Laws Sexual harassment is one of the biggest problems facing our schools

and businesses today. A week rarely goes by without a reminder of the

pervasiveness of sexual harassment as a social problem. The definition

of sexual harassment is any unwanted or inappropriate sexual

attention. That includes touching, looks, comments, or gestures. A key

part of sexual harassment is that it is one sided and unwanted. There

is a great difference between sexual harassment and romance or

friendship, since those are mutual feelings of two people. This essay

will discuss the laws of sexual harassment, further, arguments for and

against sexual harassment legislation will be raised and evaluated. As

such, a conclusion will be established as to whether current

legislation is adequate or inadequate, and if so what improvements can

be made.

The Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 was enacted to promote

fair treatment and equality of opportunity by making unfair

discrimination and all forms of sexual harassment against the law. It

gives all of us the right to be treated fairly and to take action if

unlawful discrimination or sexual harassment occurs. A federal act

also exists, and is known as Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act

(1984). The State Act states that "a person must not sexually harass

another person". As such, there are two elements to sexual

harassment, unlawful harassment and with intent. The first element,

unlawful harassment, is def...

... middle of paper ...

...ess,

this predicament has been rectified by means of the second element,

with intent. This element counteracts any exaggerations and

dramatizations made by the complainant. Therefore, sexual harassment

legislation essentially prevails in any given situation, thus being

easily interpreted by the courts.

In conclusion, the law regarding sexual harassment is sufficient and

requires no amendments. It covers each and all situations of unwanted

remarks with sexual implications and forced sexual contact. In

addition, it neutralises any embellishments made by the complainant,

thus cannot be manipulated by someone vengeful and exaggeratory.

Consequently, legislators have been clear and precise in the

consideration of sexual harassment laws and what is required, and as a

result current legislation needs no further changes.