Sexual misconduct

Sexual misconduct is misconduct of a sexual nature which exists on a spectrum[1] that may include a broad range[2] of sexual behaviors considered unwelcome. This includes conduct considered inappropriate on an individual or societal basis of morality,[3] sexual harassment and/or criminal sexual assault.

However generally,[3] from a purely legal standpoint, sexual misconduct is a "lay term"[3] which represents a boundary that has been broken, dictated by a moral set of conduct,[1] particularly where the situation is normally non-sexual and therefore unusual for sexual behavior, or where there is some aspect of personal power or authority that makes sexual behavior inappropriate. A common theme, and the reason for the term misconduct, is that these violations occur during work or in a situation of a power imbalance (such as sexual harassment).[3]

The alleged misconduct can be of various degrees, such as exposure of genitals, assault, aggressive come-ons, pleading, or even inattentiveness to nonverbal cues of discomfort.[4] The "definition of sexual misconduct is far from clear" and it is a "lay term, sometimes used in institutional policies or by professional bodies", to deal with cases marked by power imbalance, coercion, and predatory behaviour."[5]

  1. ^ a b Defence, National (December 3, 2019). "Chapter 2 - Understanding of Sexual Misconduct". www.canada.ca.
  2. ^ "Sexual Harassment | RAINN".
  3. ^ a b c d "What is sexual misconduct, exactly? Depends on who you ask". ottawacitizen.
  4. ^ Dictionary of Ethical and Legal Terms and Issues, by Len Sperry, 2007 – Routledge, pages 238-239.
  5. ^ Laucius, Joanne (29 January 2018). "What is sexual misconduct, exactly? Depends on who you ask". ottawacitizen.com. Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 9 June 2018.