Criminal Defense Attorney Redwood City, CA
Many cases of harassment are, unfortunately, often surrounded by questions; if you’ve faced sexual harassment, in particular, you may be worried about how to report your experience, or even about whether a court of law would call it harassment. At our practice, we speak with a great deal of clients who have had to deal with sexual harassment, and need legal guidance in working through the details of their potential cases.
Sexual harassment is something no one should ever have to go through, and can bring with it feelings of confusion and shame. If you’re coping with sexual harassment, don’t try to resolve the issue alone: call a skilled attorney who has experience representing clients in sexual harassment cases.
Sexual Harassment: Basic FAQs
The following frequently asked questions are a few that we typically receive from clients working through harassment cases for the first time:
What is sexual harassment?
A lawyer will tell you that sexual harassment is any kind of unwelcome conduct that is of a sexual nature. It also tends to meet the following conditions:
- It is quid pro quo, or becomes a condition of being employed or promoted.
- It is sufficiently pervasive and severe to create a hostile work (or school) environment, affecting the victim or subject’s ability to work.
The latter parameter usually implies multiple incidents, but there are certain times when a single incident is enough to create a hostile environment. A lawyer will speak with you about several different guidelines for determining this, including how frequently the conduct occurred, whether it was physical or verbal, and the position of the person who harassed you.
He or she will also work through the context and facts of your situation, and the specific behaviors of your harasser, in order to put together a strong case that proves you did experience sexual harassment. It’s important to keep in mind that even subtle behaviors can be evidence of harassment, so be sure to keep track of all of the details of your experience.
What is prohibited retaliation?
Retaliation is when someone–your harasser or another person–treats you in a negative way after you or someone else has made a complaint about your being sexually harassed. It is unlawful, and can take one of many forms; for example:
- Giving you a negative performance review.
- Spreading rumors around your workplace or school environment about you.
- Sabotaging your work or school environment via your assignments or resources.
You have the right to file a separate complaint for retaliation if necessary; your lawyer can help you through this process.
Contact Us For Help With Your Case
Let a criminal defense attorney Redwood City, CA trusts at The Morales Law Firm, P.C. help you with your sexual harassment case. They have experience assisting people who have unfairly had to deal with unwanted conduct, and will be committed to seeking justice for you.