National Sexual Harassment Lawyers Are Ready to Help You

For many Americans, sexual harassment is an unfortunate side effect of attending school, going to work, or simply existing in public. However, victims never have to sit back and allow themselves to be objectified or made uncomfortable. The EEOC explains sexual harassment as any situation in which:

  • Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment
  • Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is sued as the basis for employment decisions affecting the individual
  • Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance by creating an intimidating or sexually offensive work environment.

Both the victim and harasser can be any gender and can even share the same gender. No matter the circumstance, sexual harassment is illegal, and every individual is protected by law.

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

In the late 1980’s, the Supreme Court interpreted Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include discrimination based on “sex” as sexual harassment in the workplace. The law now recognizes sexual harassment as a form of sex discrimination and now applies to private employers with 15 or more employees, as well as government and labor organizations. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) likewise provides protection from sexual harassment under state law, including all workplaces of any size (even less than 5 employees). In a workplace, sexual harassment can occur in many scenarios. For example, the harasser may be the victim’s supervisor or a coworker. Regardless of the situation, to qualify as sexual harassment, the harasser’s conduct must be unwelcome. The victim does not have to be the person harassed but could be anyone affected by the offensive conduct, even if they simply overhear the conversation. If you find yourself facing sexual harassment at work, you have rights, protections, and options. A sexual harassment lawyer at McCune Law Group can take you through the process so you can better understand your legal standing. We will fight for maximum compensation by pursuing all avenues on your behalf.

Understanding Sexual Harassment in California

According to the State of California Civil Rights Department, sexual harassment can take on two forms:

  • “Quid pro quo” (Latin for “this for that”) – sexual harassment is when someone conditions a job, promotion, or other work benefit on your submission to sexual advances or other conduct based on sex.
  • “Hostile work environment” – sexual harassment occurs when unwelcome comments or conduct based on sex unreasonably interferes with your work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.

Sexual harassment can also take on many forms of offensive behaviors such as unwanted sexual advances, offering employment benefits in exchange for sexual favors, and more. If you believe you have been a victim of sexual harassment, you have options. Along with submitting a complaint of discrimination with the California Civil Rights Department, the attorneys at McCune Law group can help you.

If you have been a victim of sexual harassment, contact our team of Sexual Harassment lawyers by calling (909) 345-8110 or completing the form today.

Sexual Harassment at Schools or Colleges

Like sexual harassment in the workplace, sexual harassment in schools is any unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature that interferes with the right to receive an equal educational opportunity. Many students, mostly woman, say they experience bias and harassment on campuses. In fact, according to AAUW’s 2010-11 Crossing the Line report, nearly half (48%) of the students surveyed experienced some form of sexual harassment and the majority of those students (87%) said it had a negative effect on them.

Schools and colleges have made significant strides in preventing sexual harassment with the implementation of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. However, large numbers of women say they experience bias and harassment from classmates and educators. Unfortunately, they are often reluctant to report in fear of retaliation, the possibility they won’t be taken seriously, or the difficulties of reporting in the first place.

Effects of Sexual Harassment

Experiencing sexual harassment can be a traumatizing event for the victim. It can cause them to face emotional, physical, or mental health concerns after the incident. Sexual harassment can also affect the victim’s work life by causing a decrease in morale, decreased job satisfaction, and lower motivation, especially if the harasser is part of the same organization or company. In addition, victims can also suffer from negative effects of sexual harassment in their academic career, such as pressure to drop a class, change their major or minor, or experiencing physical and psychological distress.

Emotional Effects of Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment has lasting effects on victims, often including:

  • Anger
  • Fear
  • Guilt
  • Feelings of violation
  • Powerlessness
  • Anxiety
  • Depression

These are only some of the emotional impacts of sexual harassment. Distress following sexual harassment can manifest in different ways such as clinical depression and anxiety. Failure to deal with any of these feelings may lead to self-harming behaviors to cope with the distress. Fortunately, there is help. Most schools, employers, organizations, etc., have access to professionals or resources to help those who have fallen victim of sexual harassment. The compassionate and discreet Sexual Harassment lawyers at McCune Law Group can also help you pursue justice in your sexual harassment case to hold the perpetrator accountable so no one else suffers in the same way.

How Do I Start a Sexual Harassment Case?

Please contact our Racial & Economic Justice team of attorneys today for the most accurate guidance through filing your matter. You can typically expect the following when filing your case with MLG:  

  • Complete our contact form with all your information so we can best prepare your case
  • Schedule your free consultation
  • Meet with our Racial & Economic Justice team
  • Discuss your matter
  • Plan your next steps toward recovery

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment, a form of discrimination, is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature in the workplace, learning environment, or in public spaces. It can also include verbal, physical, or visual conduct, such as unwanted sexual advances, comments, gestures, or jokes, and can occur between individuals of any gender or sexual orientation.

Sexual harassment can have serious and long-lasting consequences for victims, including emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also lead to physical health problems, such as headaches and digestive issues and can negatively impact work or academic performance.

If you experience or witness sexual harassment, it is important to take action to address the situation. This may include reporting the behavior to a supervisor, human resources department, or other appropriate authority. You may also consider seeking support from a trusted friend, family member, or counselor. It is important to document any incidents of sexual harassment and keep a record of all communication related to the situation.

If you experienced sexual harassment at work or school, contact our team of lawyers by completing the form or calling (909) 345-8110 today.

Compassionate National Sexual Harassment Attorneys

With decades of experience in bringing successful lawsuits against the largest corporations of our time, the attorneys of McCune Law Group know what it takes to win. We also understand the fear and confusion that comes from being in an abusive environment. We stand ready to provide a safe, confidential forum in which we take your concerns about sexual harassment seriously and provide you with an honest assessment about what strategies we can pursue on your behalf to restore justice and prevent others from having to suffer through the same experience.

Contact us today by calling (909) 345-8110 or by completing the form for a free consultation and evaluation of your potential case.

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McCune Law Group, McCune Wright Arevalo Vercoski Kusel Weck Brandt APC is responsible for this solicitation. The information provided on this website is for general information purposes only. The information you obtain is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. Use of this website or submission of the online form does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Counsel Richard McCune is licensed to practice only in the state of California.  The law firm of McCune Law Group, has attorneys licensed to practice law in AZ, CA, IL, MO, NJ, NY and PA.  This information section is not intended to be a solicitation for services in states where it is forbidden for non-barred attorneys from advertising for services, and McCune Law Group, does not have attorneys barred in that state. McCune Law Group, is a national firm that brings lawsuits in a majority of the states. In states where one of its attorneys are not barred, it does so by filing the complaint along with local counsel licensed to practice in that state. 

The results discussed do not guarantee, warrant, or predict the results in future cases.