How Do I Handle Unwanted Sexual Advances?
Sometimes unwanted sexual advances can feel like compliments, and sometimes they can feel intimidating. The truth is that if you try to ignore someone who is making unwanted sexual advances in the hope that they will go away, then they may take your silence and compliance. If you have a situation where someone is making unwanted sexual advances in your life, then you need to take action to establish the proper boundaries.
Personally Respond to the Advances
If you are getting unwanted sexual advances, then the first step in handling those advances is to tell the person directly that you are not interested. It is often best to be kind and considerate to help calm what could be a potentially dangerous situation. Explain to the person that you appreciate their feelings, but you are not interested in an intimate relationship.
When Being Nice Does Not Work
Sometimes an aggressor will respect a victim’s sentiments and stop with the sexual advances, and other times he will not. In a work setting, you should not allow unwanted sexual advances to linger. You should report the incident to your supervisor and be prepared to file a sexual harassment report.
If your situation is not in a work setting, then you have several options. If you frequent a business where an employee is making sexual advances and your request for the advances to stop has been ignored, then speak to the company management. If your situation involves someone you see in personal interactions, then do your best to avoid situations where you would come into contact with that person.
The Final Straw
In most situations, unwanted sexual advances that do not involve physical contact are not considered a crime. However, they can still be illegal if they are persistent. The aggressor can still be stopped by using civil law. If you have tried everything you can think of to diffuse your situation and the aggressor continues to disrespect your wishes, then consider contacting an experienced sexual harassment attorney.
An attorney can issue warnings to the aggressor in the hopes that the aggressor will finally back off. If that does not happen and your place of employment does not handle the situation, then your attorney can bring your case to court.
Our lawyers helped many victims to stop unwanted sexual advances by using the civil court system. If you are a victim of unwanted sexual advances, then contact us today to find out how our compassionate legal professionals can help.