Beijing Defines Sexual Harassment for First Time

Staff Writer, May 22, 2009

Recently, lawmakers in Beijing, China came together to define and outlaw five different kinds of sexual harassment, including: language, letters, images, electronic information and physical conduct. The legislation currently protects women against men. The section about sexual harassment through electronic information is especially interesting, because China is one of the first countries to officially recognize text messaging as a way to send intimidating, sexual messages to women.

A woman who finds herself in a situation of harassment can directly sue in court, lodge a complaint at her work, the infringer’s work and also at the women’s federation department- an organization dedicated to protecting women’s rights. This is a large step for China, which has had in recent years, a negative reputation for safeguarding or promoting human rights of any kind.

Some have noted with interest that the wording of the new legislation does not include protections for men. Though more rare, sometimes men can be the victims of sexual harassment- both from other men and also from women.