Your cultural exchange experience should help you grow, not put your safety at risk. Adjusting to a new culture takes time, but discomfort is different from feeling unsafe. It’s important you know what to look for and what to not tolerate.
What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is any unwanted behavior of a sexual nature—inappropriate comments, unwelcome touching, persistent jokes, or digital harassment. What matters is not what the person meant to do, but how it makes you feel. If it makes you uncomfortable, it’s not acceptable.
You don’t need to say “stop” for something to be harassment. If unwanted behavior continues, it is harassment. Anyone can experience this—regardless of gender, age, or background—and it can come from supervisors, coworkers, customers, or anyone in your workplace environment.
Nothing you do, wear, or say ever justifies harassment. Your clothing choices, what you drink, how you act at a work event—none of it makes harassment your fault or gives someone permission to cross boundaries.
Understanding boundaries across cultures
Every country has different social norms, but respect is universal. In U.S. workplaces and social settings, clear boundaries about personal space, conversation topics, and physical contact are carefully followed. Behavior that crosses these boundaries—whether through words, actions, or online communication—is never acceptable.
You have rights, and we’re here to protect them. Whether you’re learning new workplace norms or building new relationships, trust your feelings. There’s a difference between the normal discomfort of adjusting to a new culture and the discomfort of feeling unsafe. When something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
Types of Sexual Harassment
Below are just a few examples of sexual harassment that you might encounter in the U.S. — both in and out of the workplace. You can find additional instances here:
Type | Examples |
|---|---|
Verbal or written comments | Sexual jokes, remarks about your body or appearance, unwanted propositions, or explicit messages sent by text, email, or social media |
Unwanted physical contact | Unwanted physical contact: touching, patting, pinching, hugging, or deliberately brushing up against someone |
Visual harassment | Sexually explicit images, gestures, or materials displayed or shared in the workplace |
Transactional threats | When someone ties job benefits, security, or advancement to sexual favors or compliance |
Important
If you are ever offered housing, a job, or immigration help in exchange for sexual favors, this may be a form of human trafficking. Contact InterExchange immediately.
Other types of discrimination
Sexual harassment is just one type of illegal discrimination. Federal law also prohibits harassment based on “race, color, religion, sex, national origin, older age (beginning at age 40), disability, or genetic information.”
This includes offensive jokes about your ethnicity, religious slurs, mocking your accent or appearance, age-related comments, or discrimination against disabilities. It’s also illegal to harass “a sub-set of a protected group” – for example, targeting only Muslim women or only older Black men.
Intersectional Discrimination
As detailed in the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, you’re also protected from discrimination because of the combination of two protected categories, like your national origin or religion.
For international participants, this might mean harassment that targets both your gender and your country of origin, or your religion and your age. All these forms create hostile environments and require the same immediate documentation and reporting actions described above.
Actions you can take
You’re not alone in this. Our team understands the various scenarios international participants may face. We’re available 24/7 to support you, and asking for help will never affect your program or visa status. Your voice matters, and using it protects both you and future participants.
Workplace harassment actions
If harassment occurs at work, your first step is reporting it to your supervisor, HR department, or another manager using your company’s complaint procedure. Document everything with dates, times, and witnesses, and save any evidence from work systems. Tell the harasser to stop if it’s safe to do so.
Your employer is legally required to investigate, fix the problem, and protect you from punishment or revenge. You can then file an EEOC complaint (required before any lawsuit) and potentially sue your employer for allowing a hostile work environment, asking for money for the harm caused.
Outside workplace harassment actions
For harassment outside work, call 911 if you’re in immediate danger and contact police to file reports for criminal behavior like assault, stalking, or threats. Document everything through photos, screenshots, and witness statements while blocking the harasser on all platforms.
Consider asking for a restraining order and changing your routines for safety. You can sue the individual harasser directly for damages and work with law enforcement on any criminal charges. Contact local victim advocacy services for additional support and resources.
Key difference
The main difference is who is responsible: workplace harassment makes your employer responsible for investigating and stopping the behavior, while outside harassment puts the responsibility on law enforcement and you personally. However, work-related harassment at company events, conferences, or business trips still falls under workplace protections regardless of location or normal business hours.
Legal Protections
Discrimination can violate various laws depending on where it occurs. In employment settings, federal laws provide specific protections, while harassment in housing, public places, or other settings may break state and local civil rights laws.
Report incidents to appropriate authorities—your employer’s HR department for work situations, police for criminal behavior, and relevant agencies for housing or public accommodation issues. Many states and cities have additional civil rights laws that extend protections beyond federal requirements.
Important: If you think you may be being treated unfairly because of your sex, race, or sexual orientation, get support from someone you trust and contact us to discuss the issue. We are always here to assist you!
For more information visit the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
