Who determines whether conduct qualifies as sexual harassment?

• A. The supervisor
• B. Human resources
• C. The organization as a whole
• D. The victim's perspective

Answer: (D)

Sexual harassment is defined by its impact on the person experiencing it. Whether conduct qualifies hinges on how the behavior is perceived and felt by the victim—whether it is unwelcome and creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive environment. Intent matters less than effect, so even actions that the other party didn’t mean to be harmful can meet the standard if they affect the victim negatively. Because of this, the victim’s perspective is central to determining if harassment has occurred. Supervisors, HR, and the organization handle reporting, policies, and investigations, but the core determination rests on how the conduct affected the person targeted and the surrounding context.