PORTAL: The Power of Respect to Affect Lives
An Interactive Sexual Harassment Education Program
The University of Minnesota Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action has created an interactive sexual harassment educational program. The goal of this training is to provide an opportunity for individuals to explore issues related to sexual harassment in private, and consider how respectful interactions can prevent the harm from all forms of discrimination. University of Minnesota employees can register their participation in PeopleSoft at the end of the program.
Portal challenges the viewer to:
- Understand the importance of respect in the workplace.
- Consider the impact sexual harassment has on real people.
- Reflect on the origins, myths, and realities of sexual harassment.
- Contemplate the effect sexual harassment has on the "stakeholders" in our lives - the circle of people around every one of us.
- Determine potential responses/tools one can use to "do something."
The program does not include all possible forms of sexual harassment. Viewers may be surprised at, or disagree with, some of the individual responses of the characters. We intentionally designed the presentation to prompt further reflection on these topics. Taking responsibility means having a willingness to respond. Solutions require action; we can all be part of the solution.
To begin the PORTAL program click HERE.
Sexual Harassment Defined
Sexual harassment means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when: (1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or academic advancement in any University activity or program; (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions affecting this individual in any University activity or program; or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment in any University activity or program.
Sexual harassment can occur in situations where one person has power over another, but it can also occur between equals. Both men and women can be sexually harassed, though women are most often victimized. Sexual harassment can be as blatant as rape or as subtle as a look. Harassment under the third part of the definition often consists of callous insensitivity to the experience of women.
PORTAL CD Available for Sale
"The Power of Respect to Affect Lives" is available for sale in CD-ROM format. For information on prices and availability click here or contact Richard Kronstedt, phone: (612) 624-9547, fax: (612) 624-5223.
Updated 02/01/2007