Sexual Harassment in our Day and Age

Illustrated by: Niña Edora & Martha Gonzales

Noli me Tangere is a novel written by Rizal during the Spanish colonization. It speaks about the unrelenting abuse of the friars to the Filipinos, men and women alike. The men who opposed them were imprisoned then killed, and the women whom they found beautiful were raped. Now, after 131 years, these kinds of abuses continue to manifest; albeit in a different manner, with almost different people involved.

The disturbing issue found in our Philippine society is sexual harassment. The Civil Service Commission (2001) defines it as "an act or a series of acts involving any unwelcome sexual advance, request or demand for a sexual favor, or other verbal or physical behavior of a sexual nature, committed by a government employee or official in a work-related, training- or education- related environment." This is not however, limited only to government employees, but also to other people.

A law has been passed in order to protect the rights of the people victimized by these acts. This law is the R.A. 7877, or most popularly known as “The Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995.” (CSC, 2001).

But why does sexual harassment continue to flourish? Are those bullies not afraid to be punished by the law?

The answer could be because they hesitate to report the crime, or because they do not know what forms constitute sexual harassment.

A study conducted by the EEOC in 2016 found out that "three out of four individuals who experienced harassment never even talked to a supervisor, manager, or union representative about the harassing conduct." They also found out that "employees who experience harassment fail to report the harassing behavior... because they fear disbelief of their claim, inaction on their claim, blame, or social or professional retaliation."

The nescience of the victims towards the kinds of sexual harassment should be changed. CSC (2001) lists down these kinds:

1.) Physical

a. Malicious touching

b. Overt sexual advances

c. Gestures with lewd insinuation

2.) Verbal, such as but not limited to, requests or demands for sexual favors, and lurid remarks

3.) Use of objects, pictures or graphics, letters or written notes with sexual underpinnings

4.) Other forms analogous to the foregoing.

With the right education of the people about these things and the continuous support of the community, then the eradication of sexual harassment in our times today is truly possible. The direct translation of Noli me Tangere means "Touch-me-not" or "don't touch me". Let us promote a society free of inappropriate touching and voicing out sexual words!

References:

Civil Service Commission (CSC), Administrative Disciplinary Rules on Sexual Harassment Cases. Resolution No. 01-0940, May 21, 2001 Chai, F. R., & Victoria, L. A. (2016, June). Select Task Force on the Study of Harassment in the Workplace. Retrieved November 26, 2017, from https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/task_force/harassment/report.cfm