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Harassment
Harassment is a form of discrimination. The European Commission's Code of Practice on Sexual Harassment defines sexual harassment as 'unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, or other conduct based on sex affecting the dignity of women and men at work'. It can include conduct ranging from unnecessary touching to physical assault, suggestive remarks or behaviour, the use of innuendo, abusive or offensive remarks or insults. There is at present no equivalent definition of racial harassment. However the Commission for Racial Equality advises that racial harassment includes racist 'jokes', banter, insults, taunts, gibes, literature, and graffiti; shunning people because of their race, colour, nationality or ethnic background; excluding them from conversations or other group activities; making racist insinuations; being condescending or deprecating about the way they dress or speak; picking on them unnecessarily and so on.
Unlawful harassment need not be deliberate, conscious or intentional. While the intention of the perpetrator may provide an explanation for the harassment, it can never make it acceptable. It is the perception and interpretation of the person who feels harassed that is central to the consideration of any complaint of harassment.
For more information, visit the Discrimination Law section of this toolkit.
Homophobia
Homophobia is any hostile or offensive or discriminatory action against a person because they are gay/lesbian, bisexual or transgendered, or because they are perceived to be. These actions may be verbal or physical and can include insulting or degrading comments; taunts or 'jokes'; and excluding or refusing to cooperate with others because of their sexuality.
