Sexual Harassment Lawyer Combats Virtual Harassment
Sexual harassment is a grave issue that takes place in many workplaces, more than you would expect. Over the last decade, social media and the cyber-space have created a fully- fledged virtual world that allows individuals to create an online alternate reality with few rules to govern the playground. Some may find themselves being harassed on these platforms in the workplace, and unsure of what to do. But not to worry, there are specialized sexual harassment lawyers such as those from the California Legal Team, who can assist you and guide you through the process of taking action.
What constitutes office virtual sexual harassment?
The term “sexual harassment” usually brings to mind physical sexual misconduct regarding inappropriate sexual actions and speech. As mentioned above, the development of the virtual world brings about new opportunities for harassment. Thus, it’s quite easy to begin harassing someone in the virtual world – this can happen through email, Facebook messages, online gaming platforms where alternate identities are created, and many other avenues. It becomes much easier to harass someone virtually because interactions are not public and there is no tangible physical conduct involved. However, it can be just as traumatizing as actual physical harassment.
Virtual harassment in the workplace includes inappropriate sexual messages and advances, pictures, the insinuation or virtual display of rape or forceful actions on gaming platforms, and inappropriate emails all of which subsequently disrupts the victim’s work and daily life. More serious examples would include threats of rape and assault and statements of sexual actions. These types of harassment can begin to be classified as “stalking” if the behavior is continuous. Every year, more than 6 million people are stalked in the USA, and almost 75 % of stalking victims know their stalkers! There are many cases where these issues are not taken seriously by authorities or businesses and victims, oftentimes women, end up leaving their jobs and moving away to reduce the anxiety and fear associated with the harassment.
What can you do about it?
There are laws that provide punishment for stalking and harassment. In Florida, the following law is a general law against stalking and harassment which lawyers use to protect you:
California Penal Code § 646.9
Defines stalking as “”Any person who willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows or harasses another person and who makes a credible threat with the intent to place that person in reasonable fear for his or her safety, of his or her immediate family…”
This law protects you from all forms of virtual harassment whether sexual, at the office, at home or elsewhere. You will need sufficient proof of harassment, which is quite easy to provide with virtual platforms. However, there are some laws which limit lawsuits, such as that harassment is recorded from the date one files the lawsuit, in some cases. Therefore, lawyers recommend that you contact them as soon as something happens.
Sexual harassment lawyers at California Legal Team know all the ins and out of the laws regarding sexual harassment. They are able to build a strong case for you because they understand the nature of such cases. You should never feel afraid to come forward and speak up, because no case of harassment is too small. Contact California Legal Team today for the best legal advice on virtual sexual harassment at the office.
