Subsite Background

Sexual Harassment

Sexual Harassment
Sexual Harassment

Home

LU is committed to equal opportunity in academic pursuit and employment, and hence to the elimination of any form of discrimination by members of the University community, including members of staff and students.  Sexual harassment is both an ethical and legal issue for members of staff and students as well as an issue of discrimination which LU will not condone or tolerate any form of sexual harassment.  LU has established policy and procedure against sexual harassment which sets out the mechanism for handling complaints of sexual harassment.

What is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment can involve physical, visual, verbal or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature which is uninvited and unwelcome that makes the person being sexually harassed feel offended, humiliated or intimidated, or which creates a hostile or intimidating environment.  The behaviour does not need to be intentionally, directly or consciously targeted at an individual person.  The unwelcome behaviour needs not be repeated or continuous.  A single incident can amount to sexual harassment.

The Sex Discrimination Ordinance (SDO) covers sexual harassment of both men and women.

The full text of the SDO can be obtained at https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap480.

Examples of sexual harassment

  • Unwelcome sexual advances, e.g. repeated attempts to make a date, despite being told “No” each time; obscene gestures or inappropriate touching;
  • Unwelcome requests for sexual favours, e.g. suggestions that sexual co-operation or the toleration of sexual advances may further a person’s career or affect a person’s academic results;
  • Unwelcome verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, e.g. sexually derogatory or stereotyped remarks; persistent questioning about a person’s sex life;
  • Conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile or intimidating work or educational environment, e.g. sexual or obscene remarks or jokes in the workplace/learning environment/hostels; displays of offensive or pornographic materials such as texts, pictures and posters.