Your cultural exchange experience should help you grow, not put your safety at risk. We know stepping into a new culture takes courage—and you deserve to explore, learn, and thrive without fear.
You have rights, and we’re here to protect them. Your safety isn’t just important to us; it’s our priority. Whether you’re learning about new workplace rules or building new relationships, trust your feelings. When something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
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.
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.
Types of Sexual Harassment
Below are just a few examples of what sexual harassment might look like in the U.S. workplace. You can find additional examples here:
Verbal sexual harassment
- Sexual jokes, innuendos, or comments about someone’s body, clothing, or appearance
- Asking personal questions about sex life or sexual preferences
- Making sexual propositions or repeatedly asking for dates after being declined
- Using sexual slurs or derogatory terms
- Making kissing sounds, whistling, or other suggestive noises
- Comments like “You look hot in that outfit” or “I’d like to see you without that on”
Physical sexual harassment
- Unwanted touching, patting, pinching, or stroking
- Blocking someone’s path or cornering them
- Unwanted hugging, kissing, or fondling
- Brushing up against someone deliberately
- Massaging shoulders or neck without permission
- Any unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature
Visual sexual harassment
- Displaying sexually explicit pictures, posters, or screensavers
- Staring at someone’s body parts (ogling)
- Making sexual gestures
- Showing pornographic materials
- Sending sexually explicit emails, texts, or images
- Drawing or writing sexual graffiti
Digital\/electronic sexual harassment
- Sending unwanted sexual texts, emails, or social media messages
- Sharing sexually explicit photos or videos
- Making sexual comments on social media posts
- Inappropriate sexual content in work chat platforms
Transactional harassment
- “Sleep with me and you’ll get the promotion”
- “Go out with me or I’ll give you bad performance reviews”
- “Your job security depends on being ‘friendly’ with me”
- Promising better work assignments in exchange for sexual favors
Hostile environment harassment
- Constant sexual jokes that make the workplace uncomfortable
- Persistent sexual comments about coworkers
- Creating a “boys’ club” atmosphere that excludes or demeans women
- Normalizing sexual discussions during work meetings
- Allowing customers to make sexual comments to employees without intervening
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.
Other forms include sexism, racism, and homophobia. Sexism is prejudice or discrimination based on sex. It may be less direct than sexual harassment. Racism is hatred or unfair treatment towards people of another race. Homophobia is hatred or fear of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT).
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.
Please note: the same documentation and reporting procedures apply to all forms of discrimination.
You’re not alone in this.
Our team understands the special challenges international participants 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.
