Module 3: Sexual Harassment

A misuse of power by someone in a position of authority who can use the leverage they have to oppress persons in an inferior position or to induce them to commit a wrongful act.

A branch of computer science that develops systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as language understanding, image recognition, and decision-making.

The act of being aware of our wishes, desires, rights, and openly and honestly standing up for them through clear, positive communication. It is the opposite of a passive or aggressive approach: passive people have weaker boundaries that others can overstep, while aggressive people show low respect for others’ boundaries and may hurt them in trying to influence their behaviours.

Who we are romantically or sexually drawn to.

The physical characteristics we’re born with.

An invisible line that defines what attitudes and behaviours are acceptable for an individual. Boundaries can be physical (e.g., “do not touch me”) or emotional (e.g., “do not lie to me”). For a healthy relationship, it is important for everyone involved to be able to draw their own boundaries, communicate them, and understand and respect those of others.

The act of recognising a potentially harmful situation and choosing to respond in a way that could positively influence the outcome, such as interrupting harassment or supporting the victim.

A computer program designed to simulate conversation with users, often used to provide support, information, or referrals in GBV and mental health services.

A social or cultural condition in which speaking out against abuse is discouraged, silencing victims and enabling perpetrators.

An act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten a victim.

A pattern of behaviour that uses force, threats, intimidation, or manipulation to gain and maintain power and control over another person. It can include emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial abuse and aims to dominate the victim’s autonomy, choices, and freedom.

Disagreement or argument. Conflicts are an inevitable part of any relationship, so it is important to learn to deal with them calmly and effectively using techniques such as active listening and empathy.

The agreement to participate in an intimate or sexual activity. Consent must be freely given, informed, and can be withdrawn at any time. It is closely tied to personal boundaries and respect. Without consent, sexual activities are sexual assault or rape, even if someone says “yes” while feeling ashamed, fearful, or unable to say “no”.

Infatuation, emotional and romantic attraction towards someone.

Persistent online behaviour aimed at humiliating, threatening, or intimidating a person. This may include insults, threats, sexual messages, image sharing without consent, the spread of false information or public shaming online.

The use of electronic communication to bully, harass, or threaten a young person. Common platforms include social media, messaging apps, and gaming forums.

The use of the internet or digital technologies to stalk or harass someone. Tactics may include GPS tracking, surveillance via apps, or excessive messaging.

An image or recording that has been altered or manipulated to misrepresent someone doing or saying something that they never did. It can be sexually explicit when it depicts someone performing a sexual act or saying something of a sexual nature that they never did.

Agreement to share or engage in digital content, including photos, videos, and personal information. It should be informed, voluntary, and revocable.

Practices that help individuals protect their privacy, identity, and safety online. This includes using strong passwords, managing privacy settings, and avoiding risky links or downloads.

All acts of physical, sexual, psychological or economic violence that occur within the family or domestic unit, irrespective of biological or legal family ties, or between former or current spouses or partners, whether or not they share the same residence.

Publishing or broadcasting private or identifying information about someone online, often with malicious intent.

A conscious mental reaction (such as anger or fear) subjectively experienced as a strong feeling usually directed toward a specific object and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioural changes in the body.

Manipulating another person into doubting their perceptions, experiences, or understanding of events.

How we present ourselves through clothing, behaviour, or voice.

How we see ourselves in terms of gender.

A legal, social and cultural situation in which sex and/or gender determine different rights and dignity for women and men, reflected in unequal access to or enjoyment of rights and the assumption of stereotyped social and cultural roles.

Any type of harm perpetrated against a person or group because of their factual or perceived sex, gender, sexual orientation and/or gender identity. GBV is based on an imbalance of power and is carried out with the intention to humiliate and make a person or group feel inferior and subordinate. It can be sexual, physical, verbal, psychological, or socio-economic, among others, and affects people of all genders.

Relationships which are communicative, respectful, trusting, and characterised by honesty and equality between/among partners, where boundaries are set and consent is practised.

The creation, manipulation, theft, extortion, threatened or actual distribution, or any use of sexualised or sexually explicit materials without the meaningful consent of the person(s) depicted or for purposes of sexual exploitation. Often referred to in media as “revenge porn”.

A concept referring to how different forms of discrimination (e.g., based on gender, race, sexual orientation) intersect, making certain groups more vulnerable to harassment and violence.

The feeling of closeness and connection a person develops with special people in their life. It can be physical, intellectual, emotional, or spiritual, and often needs to be nourished in romantic relationships for them to be successful.

Abuse or aggression that occurs in a romantic relationship between current or former partners. IPV causes physical, sexual or psychological harm and can include physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse, and controlling behaviours. It can range from a single episode to chronic, severe abuse over many years.

A subfield of AI where systems improve automatically through experience by analysing large datasets. Used in content moderation, recommendation algorithms, and predictive tools.

A loose network of communities that claim to address men’s struggles—such as dating, fitness, or fatherhood—but often promote harmful beliefs, misrepresent men as “victims” of the current social climate, and condemn feminism.

A field of AI that enables machines to understand and interpret human language. Used in hate speech detection and chatbots.

Includes staring, leering, obscene gestures, or displaying sexual content, all of which contribute to a hostile environment.

The process by which an adult builds trust with a minor online for the purpose of sexual exploitation, manipulation, or abuse.

Harassment that occurs between individuals of the same status, such as students or co-workers. It is often underestimated but can be equally harmful as abuse involving power differences.

Unwanted physical contact, such as touching, cornering, or brushing up against someone inappropriately.

The influence that differences in status or authority have in relationships. In sexual harassment, power imbalances (e.g., teacher–student, employer–intern) often play a critical role.

Using data and AI models to forecast where or when crimes may occur, or to assess risk levels in domestic violence or abuse cases. It is controversial due to bias and privacy concerns.

A type of sexual harassment where job benefits (like promotions or job security) are made conditional on sexual favours.

Dynamic and multifaceted connections between two or more individuals—friends, colleagues, caregivers, intimate partners, or others—that significantly impact our thoughts, feelings, actions, and behaviours.

Institutional processes that allow victims or witnesses to report harassment safely and confidentially.

Punitive actions taken against someone for reporting harassment or supporting someone who has, such as demotion, exclusion, or character attacks.

A relationship involving a deep, passionate love, which may include initial feelings of nervousness and excitement, and might develop into a long-term commitment. It may exist alongside a sexual relationship and often involves a level of intimacy not present in other types of relationships.

Environments where individuals feel secure and supported in discussing sensitive experiences like harassment, without fear of judgment or reprisal.

Any unwelcome sexual behaviour that violates a person’s dignity or creates a hostile, intimidating, humiliating, or offensive environment. It can be verbal, non-verbal, physical, or digital.

A pattern of repeated, unwanted attention and contact by a partner that causes fear or concern for one’s safety or the safety of someone close. It may include constant monitoring, excessive texting, and tracking.

A false belief, often widely shared, expressed as an exaggerated or oversimplified idea about certain social groups, which becomes accepted as a general truth.

An approach to GBV that prioritises the rights, safety, autonomy, and dignity of the person who has experienced abuse.

A range of behaviours that leverage digital tools to intimidate, harass, or harm individuals based on their gender, disproportionately affecting women and LGBTQIA+ people. It includes any act of GBV carried out, assisted, or amplified through digital technologies such as social media, messaging platforms, or surveillance apps.

Physical, psychological or sexual abuse, harassment, or stalking of any person ages 12 to 18 in the context of a past or present romantic or consensual relationship. Also called adolescent relationship abuse or adolescent intimate partner violence.

Cultural norms that associate masculinity with dominance, suppression of emotions, and aggression, often reinforcing inequality and violence.

A way of working that recognises the impact of trauma and seeks to avoid re-traumatisation while promoting empowerment, choice, and safety.

Relationships that exhibit malaise and dysfunction, often with power imbalances, lack of consent, mutual trust, compromise, or honesty. They may include manipulation, gaslighting, victim blaming, and other behaviours to control the other person and may degenerate into physically, emotionally, psychologically or sexually violent relationships.

Sexual jokes, inappropriate comments, or suggestive remarks that are unwelcome and degrading.

Saying, implying, or treating a person who has experienced harmful or abusive behaviour as though it was a result of something they did or said, instead of placing the responsibility on the person who harmed them.

Any action that physically, emotionally, psychologically or economically harms or controls another person. It can range from microaggressions to discrimination and stigma, including hitting, verbal abuse, emotional manipulation or financial control.