Pennsylvania

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Sexual harassment is a serious crime that can leave a lasting effect on the victim. Whether the incident was a crude joke or an attack, the victim has rights that should not go ignored. If you or someone you know has been the target of sexual harassment in Pennsylvania, contact a sexual harassment lawyer as soon as possible to start a case and ensure the perpetrator is brought to justice.

Sexual harassment can be extremely difficult to deal with, especially when the victim is embarrassed or afraid to come forward with the truth. The important thing to know is that victims are protected by the law and should not be afraid to confide in a team of sexual harassment attorneys for assistance.

Our paralegals work to defend the victim and protect their rights. Contact a team of sexual harassment lawyers in Pennsylvania as soon as possible to begin your case.

Sexual Harassment Defined

In Pennsylvania, sexual harassment includes any unwelcome conduct, be it verbal or physical, that is of a sexual nature. It is considered a form of sexual discrimination as per Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and is against the law. Sexual harassment causes victims to feel insecure, threatened and afraid at work and may interfere with their performance. It is important for victims to know that help is available to them and they don’t have to suffer in a hostile work environment. Sexual harassment victims have a right to come forward and ensure that the perpetrator is apprehended.

Types of Sexual Harassment in Pennsylvania

There are many different sexual harassment incidents that can occur at a workplace. The following are a few examples of sexual harassment behavior in Pennsylvania:
• Joke about someone’s body, clothing, physical appearance, sexual orientation or sex life
• General lewd comments
• Repeatedly asking someone out on a date or for sexual favors
• Stalking
• Sending inappropriate and sexual emails, letters or notes
• Making obscene or inappropriate gestures or facial expressions
• Quid pro quo (this for that) requests
• Touching someone inappropriately and without their consent, such as hugging, kissing, groping, or fondling
• Aggressive behavior, such as rape or attempt at rape

Victims and Offenders

Both the victims and offenders of sexual harassment can be of any gender, age, race, religion or sexual orientation. In addition, victims and offenders may be of the same sex. Harassers can be supervisors, co-workers or may not even be employed at the specific workplace in which the unwanted conduct is happening. Offenders can choose to attack one victim only or may attack several.

Victims of sexual harassment don’t’ have to be directly affected by the unwanted conduct in order to file a formal complaint. A victim can be someone that overheard another person making a sexual comment or witnessed inappropriate sexual behaviors and took offense.

Sexual Harassment Laws in Pennsylvania

Sexual harassment is against the law in Pennsylvania, and anyone who is accused and found guilty of unwanted sexual behaviors will be put to justice. In Pennsylvania, it is also illegal for anyone to have their job affected in anyway due to sexual harassment allegations. An employee may not be fired, demoted, reassigned to another position or have their position be affected negatively if they file a sexual harassment complaint, refuse someone’s advances or participate in a sexual harassment investigation.

In Pennsylvania, all employees have a right to a workplace that is free of discrimination and hostility. When that right is compromised, victims can take action to ensure that the sexual perpetrator is stopped. If talking to the harasser doesn’t work, victims may elevate the matter to a supervisor or Human Resources representative. If the issue remains unresolved, victims may file a case with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission within 180 days of the sexual harassment conduct or may also turn to a sexual harassment lawyer.

Working with a Sexual Harassment Lawyer

The victims of sexual harassment in Pennsylvania are entitled to seek legal help. Everyone in the state is entitled to a workplace that is free of hostility. If you or someone you know at work is suffering because of unwanted sexual conduct, turn to a leading sexual harassment attorney right away.

Although all sexual harassment victims in Pennsylvania are entitled to seek help, unfortunately, not all victims of sexual harassment come forward because they may be afraid or the harasser or may feel embarrassed. However, not saying anything about the situation will only make matters worse for the victim or may even lead the harasser to turn their attacks on a new victim.

Sexual harassment attorneys understand that it is difficult to talk about the incidents and do whatever it takes to make the victims feel as comfortable as possible. If you have a top sexual harassment lawyer working on your case, you can rest assured that the perpetrator will be put to justice and the unwanted conduct will not happen again.

As a victim of sexual harassment, you may also be entitled to claim benefits for your pain and suffering. Your paralegal will ensure that you obtain the maximum money damages possible after suffering from sexual harassment. Don’t wait any longer to contact a skilled team of sexual harassment lawyers in Pennsylvania to file a claim and fight for your rights.

One Comment

  1. Kelly Lynn Tombaugh says:

    I was attending my cousins wife’s birthday party. Intially it was hosted at Irish Cousins bar in Lawrence Park, P.A.. We then went to Roccos, which is right next door because everyone at Irish Cousins was watching a cage fighting tournament and Tina and I wanted to listen to some music. So we took her cake and pizza to Roccos. Roccos, also in Lawrence Park, P.A. is where I feel as though I’d been the victim of: sexual harrassment. An african american male whom I’ve never met before grabbed around my waist and rubbed his genital area over my area. He bear hugged me and I screamed about 6 times-get off of me and he just wouldn’t let go of me until my family and others pulled him off of me. I went to other side of the bar and yelled F you like # times. That was the first incident. I was sitting down with my cousin Bobby trying to calm down. My fiance went over to asked the african american male what exactly just happened because he wanted to know why he(the african american male) wasn’t letting go of me. My fiance also asked him if I Kelly Tomabugh touched him first or if he(the african american male) touched myself first. My boyfriend came back to my table and had told me that the african american male said: that I touched him first. Which is false. I do not like feeling like I’m cornered. I do not like being touched. I got up out of anger and embarrassment and “tried” to swing on him. I did not actuall get to hit him. There were no security guards or bouncers that worked at this bar. The female bartender/owner jumped over the bar when I was attempting to swing at the african american male and grabbed me around my neck, ripping my deceased grandmothers necklace off of me. That is when I grabbed her hair and said you have no right to put your hands on me. Her husband/owner came up behind me and used deadly force by administering a chokehold to the point where I couldn’t breathe. My fiance ran over and said get your hands off my girl, not knowing that the man was the “actual owner at all. I was not escorted by the owners out of their establishment. My family escorted me out and my fiance was trying to calm me down in the parking lot and then the police showed up and now they want to press harrassment charges on me and I feel like I was the victim.

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