The following are examples of specific definitions for sexual harassment given by international frameworks and organisations that address this issue.
Article 11 of CEDAW General Recommendation No. 19 on violence against women states: “Sexual harassment includes such unwelcome sexually determined behaviour as physical contact and advances, sexually coloured remarks, showing pornography and sexual demand, whether by words or actions. Such conduct can be humiliating and may constitute a health and safety problem; it is discriminatory when the woman has reasonable ground to believe that her objection would disadvantage her in connection with her employment, including recruitment or promotion, or when it creates a hostile working environment.” (FRE, SPA)
The joint UN Women and ILO publication, Addressing Violence and Harassment against Women in the World of Work, states “Sexual harassment involves sexualized forms of unwanted or unwelcome behaviour or conduct. It has the ‘purpose or effect of violating the dignity of a person and of creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.’ Although anyone may be subject to sexual harassment, women are the overwhelming majority of reported victims. Sexual harassment can be physical, psychological, verbal and non-verbal and can include conduct such as: sexual violence and assault, including rape; unwelcome requests for sexual favors and dates; unwelcome touching; leaning over; cornering; stalking; making sexually-lewd comments or unwelcome communications of a sexual nature, including displaying or sharing sexually lewd pictures and pornographic material.” (pg. 6)