Documenting Sexual Intimidation
One of the more effective ways to combat sexual harassment is to document instances and use that information to file an official complaint with your company’s human resources department. Sexual intimidation is a form of sexual harassment that sees the aggressor trying to shame or embarrass the victim for their gender, alternative lifestyle choices, or sexual preference. Filing a sexual harassment complaint about sexual intimidation can be more effective with documentation, but you need to be careful in how you collect your information.
Make Copies Of Posted Or Sent Messages
If your aggressor is posting comments on social media or sending you messages designed to sexually harass you, then these can all be captured and used as documentation. In many ways, the aggressor is making it easier for you to provide a comprehensive complaint by giving you the information you need done in their own hand.
You should only collect messages and posts that specifically pertain to you. While it can be helpful to collect general messages that can show a pattern of hate and harassment, the information that is directed specifically at you is going to be most effective.
Writing Down Incidents
Another effective way for documenting your sexual harassment claim is to take notes on each incident. Your notes should include:
- Specific date and time
- The exact location where it happened
- As many details surrounding the event as possible
- As much dialogue as you can accurately remember
- Names of witnesses who may have been present
If you cannot accurately remember something, the indicate that in your notes. You can keep notes on a digital device, or they can be handwritten.
Making Recordings
It can sound alluring to press the record button on a recording device just as your aggressor is approaching your desk to catch the aggressor in the act, but it is not that simple. New York permits taping of conversations, so long as one party (you) consents.
Surveillance videos captured by your company in common areas of your office is another source of documentation and proof. A company has to let employees know that there are surveillance cameras, which makes the information these cameras capture admissible. If you have questions about documenting incidents of sexual intimidation, then contact our experienced sexual harassment attorneys for more information. Our legal team is available to be your resource when you are trying to stand up for your rights in the workplace.