1. Who identifies sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment is defined by the person harassed based on his/her feelings. Sexual harassment includes any action or unconformable joke. Any conduct can be considered sexual harassment as long as the conduct is unwelcome and violates someone’s will.

2. What is Campus Gender Case (people involved)?

Campus Gender Case refers to a case involving one person who is a student and the other a student or a faculty member (including anyone from another school).

3. What are the signs of sexual harassment?

There are 4 main signs of sexual harassment: unwelcoming, violation of one’s will, sexual indication, and making someone feel uncomfortable. If any verbal or physical conduct toward you has these 4 signs, it is a suspected case of sexual harassment.

4. What are the common forms of sexual harassment on campus?

Verbal: Unwanted speech of a sexual nature or making a person feel humiliated. Remark of sexuality insult is also considered sexual harassment.

Physical: Hidden camera in toilet or bathroom, peeking, touching buttock or breast, dissemination of pornography, disclosure of private sexual images, sexually explicit letters, exposure of genitals, etc.

5. Does sexual harassment include conduct of a person who regrets breaking up or keeps harassing another person after breakup?

If a person does not take action against his/her partner’s will in a broad sense (e.g. hug, holding hands, kiss, oral sex, sex, etc.) before ending the relationship, it is not sexual harassment. However, it may be considered sexual harassment or even sexual assault when his/her partner is forced to do anything aforementioned.

6. Where on campus are sexual harassments or assaults likely to occur?

Usually an offender chooses somewhere that is dark and quiet and does not have security cameras installed. For example, an empty classroom at noon, a toilet located at a great distance (female toilet is often targeted), and a small and quiet byway surrounding the campus are dangerous areas.

7. Myths and Facts

Q1: Does sexual harassment occur due to inappropriate or revealing clothing?
 

A1: No!
 

Q2: Does sexual harassment apply to someone who did not reject or resist the offender in the first place?
 

A2: There are various reasons for not rejecting or resisting the offender immediately. For example, the offender is the victim’s teacher or boss or a sudden action which does not give the victim a good response time. The truth will be identified according to investigation conversation and relevant evidence.
 

Q3: Will only sick men do this?
 

A3: No. Men can be sexually harassed too.
 

Q4: Does same-sex sexual harassment occur?

A4: Yes, it is possible.

8. How can I prevent sexual harassment or assault on campus?

There is no ultimate solution. You need to avoid walking on a byway; walk with others, carry a whistle or camera phone. If you are sexually harassed or something like that happens on campus, please report it to the Campus Security Center by phone (07-3429958).

9. Who can report sexual harassment or assault case on campus to the school?

The victim can report the case. If the victim has any concern, he/she can ask a faculty member, his/her parent or friend to make a report.

10. Is it shameful to be sexually harassed or assaulted? Why do I have to report it? Won’t it make my life harder if everyone in the school knows the truth?

Sexual harassment or assault is a crime. If you don’t come forward, you indulge the offender in crime and your dignity will be harmed again. Nowadays, school and authorities are obliged to handle sexual harassment or assault cases and have established corresponding procedures. Any victim shall actively ask for help to overcome sexual harassment or assault and stop the offender from taking illegal action, or punish the offender.

11. If a victim harassed or assaulted does not want to file a report, can a teacher or student who knows the case report it?

Yes, anyone who is aware of the case can report it to the Campus Security Center (07-3429958) or the Secretariat (Gender Equity Education Committee Hotline 07-3425800) as a “reporter” with supporting evidence.

12. Who can I talk to if I see sexual harassment or assault information online?

First, you should print out the information and list the reporter’s contact information. Then you can provide information to any faculty member/unit you trust via email or to the Campus Security Center/the Secretariat (Gender Equity Education Committee) in person, in order to file a report. The case will be further handled based on the information provided.

13. Is there any other channel to report sexual harassment or assault?

You can report a case to a police station/domestic violence and sexual assault prevention center in charge of the place where it happened, or call 113 (toll-free) to file a report.

14. Will the school accept the case if I file a report to police or a local domestic violence and sexual assault prevention center?

Yes. According to Article 30 of the Gender Equity Education Act, the Gender Equity Education Committee shall not be affected by the judicial procedures of the case in its investigation and handling of a case. In some cases, the offender may not be a faculty member or student of the school. The Gender Equity Education Committee does not have the right to investigate such offender. However, the school can provide the victim with proper mental or legal consulting services and support.

15. What can I do if the offender is from outside of the school?

If the offender is a student, the Gender Equity Education Committee contacts his/her school to form a collaborative team for investigation. If the offender is not a student, the Gender Equity Education Committee can provide the victim with mental and legal consulting services. The victim can also take legal action for relief. The statute of limitations for filing a sexual harassment claim is 6 months. The victim can report the case to the judicial authority within the aforementioned period. The judicial authority will properly handle the case because sexual assault is an indictable offence.

16. What kind of information is required when filing a report?

Relevant documents, recording or online information can all be submitted.

17. Can the school help me if I don’t know who sexually harassed or assaulted me?

Don’t worry! If the offender’s identity is unknown, the school can still help you. The school will do its best to identify the offender and provide the victim with mental and legal consulting services for calming him/her down and telling him/her about relevant legal right and obligation to make necessary decisions afterwards.

18. How will the school handle a sexual harassment or assault case if the offender transfers to another school, is suspended or has already graduated?

According to Article 27 of the Gender Equity Education Act, when the aforesaid offender transfers to another school for studies or employment, the competent authority and the former school where the offender worked or studied shall notify the new school where the offender works or studies within one month from the date of knowing such transfer. If the offender is suspended, the case will be properly handled based on the offender’s academic status when the case happened; or the offender will be investigated after returning from suspension. There is no regulation established for punishing the offender as an alumnus. However, the school can support the victim to file a lawsuit against the offender.

19. Campus Gender Case Report and investigation application resources are shown below:

(1) Report to the Campus Security Center: Please come to the Military Education Office located on B1 of the Millennium Hall or call the Campus Security Center at 07-342-9958.

(2) Submit an application/file a report for investigation: Please come to the Gender Equity Education Committee (the Secretariat) or call 07-342-5800/dedicated email: sc@mail.wzu.edu.tw.