Professor Says Sexual Harassment is "Not All In Your Head"

By Austin Pratt

Seated calmly throughout the majority of her lecture Friday, Dr. Dawn Bennett-Alexander told her audience that sexual harassment “is not all in your head.” People need to understand how imperative it is to take action when they feel they have been sexually harassed.

Bennett-Alexander, an associate professor of Legal Studies at the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, spoke about the importance of recognizing and reporting sexual harassment. She urged the audience not to second guess their instincts if they feel they are being taken advantage of.

“If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and has feathers, it’s a duck,” Bennett-Alexander said. “Recognize it as what it is.”

Bennett-Alexander told her audience of about 65 people in room 250 of the Miller Learning Center that she decided to give the lecture after frequently reading stories concerning sexual harassment at UGA. Many of these stories dealt with relationships between professors and students

Students may not react to being touched in an inappropriate way by a professor because they understand that class is about a grade, Bennett-Alexander explained. A student may disregard such actions because they wouldn’t want to hurt their academic standing.

“We tend, especially that vulnerable group, to let it go,” Bennett-Alexander said. “If it makes you feel weird in the pit of your stomach, chances are it’s probably wrong.”

Bennett-Alexander explained that in legal terms, sexual harassment has to be unwanted, severe, and pervasive. However, she said that even though an incident may not be found legally sufficient to constitute sexual harassment, it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be reported.

“If it makes you feel weird in the pit of your stomach, chances are it’s probably wrong,” Bennett-Alexander said.

The lecture was sponsored by the Institue for Women’s studies who are trying to educate students and faculty about the dangers of accepting and not reporting sexual harassment. UGA is trying to improve their sexual harassment policy in order to provide a better service for those who have experienced sexual harassment and need someone to talk to. Bennett-Alexander stated that reporting sexual harassment complaints need to happen in order to stop people from taking advantage of others.

“Part of what will make people stop is the public notice about it,” Bennett-Alexander said.

Bennett-Alexander said that UGA has created three ombudsman positions to focus on sexual harassment complaints in order to make students feel more comfortable about reporting sexual harassment incidents.

People need to realize when they are being sexually harassed and report it to someone, Bennett-Alexander reiterated. “Leave today knowing one thing,” she said. “Call a spade a spade.”