Part of my commute Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays is the Washington hecklers’ catcalls, lewd remarks and colorful language. The 9 a.m. sexual innuendoes really put me in the mood for work and prepare me for my day, almost as much as my iced coffee from Starbucks.
Under the President’s Promise, students of this university are ensured the opportunity to develop professionally, and they “achieve this growth through hands-on research, study abroad, or internships in the public and private sectors.” Under the university’s Policy and Procedures on Sexual Harassment, students are assured a safe environment in which their “individual dignity” is not compromised and their “equal educational and employment opportunities” are safeguarded.
But students are not necessarily guaranteed workers’ protection from sexual harassment at their internships. Each organization has a different policy, and, under the law, interns are not always given the same rights as employees when it comes to sexual harassment in the workplace.
I’m not talking about the every day, “Hey baby, I got an empty apartment tonight, and I can show you a good time” sexual harassment that occurs on nearly every street corner downtown to nearly every woman who happens to walk by (though that’s another important issue that needs to be addressed). I’m talking about colleagues, supervisors or affiliates at a place of work creating an uncomfortable working atmosphere through sexually explicit comments or jokes, unwanted sexual advances, touching and even rape.
Like other forms of sexual violence, sexual harassment doesn’t only affect women. Both men and women can be victims, and both men and women can be the perpetrators.
I’ve had some bizarre internship experiences. Luckily, I have never been sexually harassed. It’s hard enough to be assertive with your superiors in asking for more or different assignments. Now add sexual bullying to the mix, and you’ve really got a problem. It doesn’t exactly adhere to the ideal learning experience laid out in the President’s Promise.
If you’re feeling worried about sacrificing your course credits or abandoning a potential résumé bump, stop right there: Your personal and emotional safety comes before anything else. Victims of sexual harassment in the workplace can be subject to fear or anxiety, lower productivity, a higher level of stress and substance abuse, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network’s website.
“If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe at your place of work because of sexual harassment or any other reason, it’s important to address the situation and bring it to the attention of your supervisor,” said Katherine Hull, spokeswoman for RAINN.
When I was younger, I was always told to ignore the people who tried to pick on me (though later on in life, it did help to have a pretty intimidating older brother), but in the case of workplace bullying — sexual or otherwise — it’s necessary to stick up for yourself before it gets any more serious and you end up experiencing some potentially devastating effects.
So before you begin that dream internship, check out its policies and procedures, and know your protections. Remember that you’re there to learn and thrive, and that you deserve to take away an experience that prepares you for your chosen field — not an experience that scars you and discourages you from your dreams and goals.
Emily Kleiman is a junior communication major. She can be reached at kleiman@umdbk.com.
