Can a victim of sexual harassment be someone other than the person directly harassed?

• A. Yes, it can be anyone who finds the behavior offensive and is affected by it
• B. Only the person directly harassed
• C. Only supervisors
• D. Only coworkers

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that sexual harassment harms more than just the person it’s aimed at. A hostile work environment isn’t limited to the direct target; it affects anyone who experiences or witnesses the conduct and feels offended, threatened, or uncomfortable as a result. Because the atmosphere of the workplace is altered by repeated or severe inappropriate behavior, coworkers, bystanders, and others in the environment can be considered victims if they’re affected by what’s happening.

For example, if a supervisor makes sexual remarks in front of the team or a coworker repeatedly behaves in a sexually offensive way, those nearby may feel unsafe, humiliated, or unable to perform their job effectively. That broader impact is what the policy protects against, not just the direct target of the harassment. So the victim can indeed be someone other than the person directly harassed, as long as they’re affected by the conduct.