It is important to consider that sexual harassment may not always be an action or comment that would necessarily be considered to indicate sexual interest in the person being harassed. It can also include behaviours or comments that seek to assert power over, subordinate, or humiliate others in order to reinforce heteronormativity and traditional gender binaries and stereotypes in response to an individual’s gender identity or sexual orientation (or how these are perceived). These factors must also be taken into account when defining sexual harassment.

For further information, see page 12 of the ILO’s 2018 publication Ending Violence and Harassment against Women and Men in the World of Work.