Myth
Women who enter a predominately male field should expect to put up with rough language, dirty jokes and hazing. The women are not being treated any differently than the men treat each other.
Fact
This is a myth because many times the new woman in a previously all-male environment is not just treated as “one of the boys.” It is not business as usual, but rather the men escalate the foul language or sexual conduct to test her or make it difficult for her to succeed. Intensified, ongoing, sexually directed conduct has therefore been held to be sexual harassment.
Myth
The victim must be of the opposite sex of the harasser in order for there to be sexual harassment.
Fact
The victim, as well as the harasser, may be a man or woman. The victim and the harasser do not have to be of the opposite sex.
