What Qualifies as Workplace Sexual Abuse?

Woman raises hand against workplace sexual abuse.

Unwanted sexual comments, advances, and actions qualify as workplace sexual abuse. Experiencing sexual abuse at work can feel dehumanizing, cause emotional distress, and result in career challenges that you shouldn’t have to face. Fortunately, you can get justice and compensation for the pain you’ve endured due to abuse.

Knowing what qualifies as workplace sexual abuse can help you take action against unlawful workplace treatment. That said, the legal process can be difficult to navigate. You’ll need the assistance of an experienced Columbus workplace sexual abuse lawyer to hold the offending individual responsible for your suffering and losses.

Types of Workplace Sexual Abuse

Understanding the different types of workplace sexual abuse can help you determine if you’re experiencing unlawful treatment and if you’re eligible to file a claim. Sexual abuse in the workplace can be separated into the following two categories:

Hostile work environment: This type of abuse involves unwelcome sexual conduct such as comments, advances, or harassment that creates an intimidating workplace. A hostile work environment usually involves repeated incidents that affect your ability to work.
Quid pro quo: This type of abuse occurs when a superior demands sexual favors in exchange for job benefits such as promotions, raises, or job security. In these situations, a superior may also threaten to fire or demote you for not following their demands.

If you’ve faced a hostile work environment or quid pro quo sexual abuse at work, don’t hesitate to contact an attorney. A compassionate lawyer can take the time to listen to your case, understand the mistreatment you’ve experienced, and get the justice you need to move past this upsetting situation.

For a free legal consultation, call 614-481-6000

Examples of Sexual Abuse in the Workplace

Sexual abuse in the workplace can come in many forms. Familiarizing yourself with examples of workplace sexual abuse allows you to identify hostile work environments and quid pro quo abuse when they occur at your job. Examples of hostile work environment abuse include the following:

A manager repeatedly makes inappropriate sexual jokes, making you feel uncomfortable and afraid to speak up against their conduct.
A coworker persistently sends you sexually explicit messages, creating distress and disrupting your work.
Employees display sexually suggestive images in shared spaces. This makes you feel unsafe and like you cannot concentrate on your work.

Examples of quid pro quo workplace sexual harassment include the following:

A supervisor offers you a promotion in exchange for sexual favors.
A manager threatens to fire you if you refuse to go on a date with them.
A hiring manager denies you a job unless you agree to a romantic relationship with them.

The scenarios listed above qualify as workplace sexual abuse and can be combatted by filing a claim. If you’ve experienced one of these types of abuse or another at work, you can turn to an experienced workplace sexual abuse lawyer. An attorney will take an empathetic approach to your case, offering the support and representation you need to file a strong claim.

What to Do if You’re Facing Sexual Abuse at Work

If you believe you’re experiencing treatment that qualifies as workplace sexual abuse, there are steps you can take to hold the offending individual liable for their actions. Here’s what you should do if you’re being sexually abused at work:

Document the abuse: The first step is to document the abuse you are experiencing. You’ll want to keep a record of the incidents of abuse, including information like dates, locations, and witnesses. These records can be used to strengthen your claim later on.
File an internal report: Next, you must file a report with your human resources department or supervisor. This report can serve as evidence when an attorney helps you take legal action against your abuser.
Hire a lawyer: Filing a workplace sexual abuse claim with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and taking your case to court can be incredibly difficult without an attorney’s help. A lawyer can provide compassionate support throughout your case and work hard to file a winning claim.

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Compensation You Could Get From a Workplace Sexual Abuse Claim

Hostile work environments and quid pro quo sexual abuse can cause emotional suffering, financial losses, and career issues that no one should have to deal with. While compensation won’t erase the pain and humiliation you’ve experienced, it can provide a sense of relief and the financial support you need to move past this unfortunate situation.

Depending on your unique case, you could get any of the following damages from a claim:

Back pay
Front pay
Emotional distress
Punitive damages
Attorney’s fees
Loss of benefits
Reinstatement

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Learn More About What Qualifies as Workplace Sexual Abuse

At Cooper Elliott, we understand how painful and dehumanizing it can be to face sexual abuse at your workplace. We’re here to stand by your side and take the fear out of the legal process. Our compassionate team of workplace sexual abuse attorneys has 100+ years of combined experience handling similar cases. You can count on us to bring your abuser to justice.

We’re not like other firms that won’t even give you the time of day. Many of our clients have told us that we’re the first law firm to listen to their side of the story. We’ll work closely with you to explain what qualifies as workplace sexual abuse and take action against your abuser. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.

Call or text 614-481-6000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

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A Mape

19:05 16 Mar 25

Rex Elliott at Cooper Elliott is truly exceptional. He was the perfect balance of empathy and toughness—understanding my issue deeply while giving me unwavering confidence throughout the entire process. One of the things I appreciated most was how easy he was to reach and communicate with, always making me feel heard and supported. Thanks to his expertise, we had a resolution within just three days and received everything we asked for. I couldn’t have asked for a better advocate. Rex is simply the best! Highly recommend!

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Tammy McKinney

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I was t-boned in an intersection on my way to work. It was terrifying. Officers on scene indicated the man who hit me was being cited. Then they learned he is a local celebrity and decided against it. My car was totaled and I was in pain. And now this guy gets to walk away. Until Sean Alto and his paralegal Kim got hold of my file and said - hold up - not on my watch. They dug in, found the evidence and made it right. Thank you all so much!! Highly recommend.

Christina Coppel

13:06 16 Oct 24

I worked with Rex and Adam along with multiple others. The team was extremely knowledgeable and transparent through my entire case to help me best understand my options. I felt supported during a very difficult time and was confident in the advice I received.

Sara Eldred

23:35 03 Aug 24

I am incredibly grateful for the exceptional service provided by Sean Alto, Ben Cooper, Sommer Donnelly, and the entire team at Cooper Elliott during my personal injury case. Sean took on my case with urgency, compassion, and expertise that made a challenging time filled with uncertainty much more manageable.Their thorough understanding of the legal process, combined with a compassionate approach, ensured that I felt supported and informed every step of the way. They fought tirelessly on my behalf, resulting in a settlement that exceeded my expectations.I highly recommend Sean, Ben, or any of the phenomenal experts with Cooper Elliott to anyone in need of a personal injury attorney. Their commitment to their clients and their ability to achieve outstanding results truly sets them apart. Thank you, Sean and the Cooper Elliott team for your hard work and for helping me achieve justice. I couldn't imagine going through something like this with anyone else.

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21:51 16 Jul 24

Attorney Kaela King is an exceptional legal professional who I wholeheartedly recommend for anyone seeking expert legal counsel. Attorney King demonstrated unparalleled dedication, expertise, and empathy.Her deep knowledge of the law combined with her sharp analytical skills ensured that every aspect of my case was thoroughly examined and strategically handled. What truly sets Attorney King apart is her genuine care for her clients. She took the time to listen attentively to my concerns, explained complex legal jargon in a clear manner, and always kept me informed about the progress of my case.Throughout the entire process, Attorney King exhibited a high level of professionalism and integrity. She approached each challenge with confidence and determination, consistently advocating for my best interests. Her proactive approach and meticulous attention to detail instilled a sense of confidence in me that I was in capable hands.Thanks to Attorney King's hard work and dedication, I am immensely grateful for her support and guidance during a challenging time. If you are searching for a trustworthy and highly skilled attorney who genuinely cares about her clients, look no further than Attorney Kaela King. She is a true advocate for justice and a beacon of excellence in the legal profession.

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13:47 10 Jul 24

For the most part when you need legal representation something has not gone well. You are concerned, anxiety is up, you feel low, even frightened, and there does not seem to be a light anywhere around. Thus, I am very happy that I called CooperElliott. Much of that despair began to lift, I knew I had someone behind me, in front of me, beside me, and that I was not alone. I was treated like I had been a client for forever by everyone I was in contact with and met with. A great firm that will fight for you, and that means a great deal when you need someone who will do that with you. Thank you CooperElliott.

Felix Santiago Miralles Hernandez

15:35 09 May 24

Ben good lawyer, he schedule a zoom to hear my case. Could not help me, but he answer every question i had. Help me what i need to do next, i was very helpfull. Recommended. Type of lawyer that is no looking fo the money, he really wanted to help.

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18:41 23 Apr 24

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19:47 05 Apr 24

Even though Mr. Cooper wasn’t able to take my case, he was kind enough to point me in the right direction and answer all my questions, regarding my matter. I appreciate your time!

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14:54 03 Apr 24

Through the law firm Cooper Elliott, I dealt with attorney, Bart Keyes. Bart was very thorough and understood that I Had no clue of how this process would go. Bart took the time needed to help educate me on this process for a very positive outcome.I can’t thank Bart and the staff at Cooper Elliott enough for all they have done for me. I am now able to move on with my life!

Anthony Johnson

16:51 29 Mar 24

My name is Anthony Johnson and I just spoke with Ben Cooper about a wrongful accusation case, unfortunately they don't take on cases such as these but Ben gave me some valuable information and I could tell he really was trying to help me. Very knowledgeable and a great listener. Give him all call for anything law related. Made me feel important.

Brian Hewitt

03:46 23 Mar 24

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14:10 02 Mar 24

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14:06 15 Feb 24

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15:39 21 Dec 23

I am so glad I found cooper Elliot. My attorneys Jon and Adam helped me through the entire process. After a traumatic experience in my life I was confused and in pain. They worked tirelessly to become familiar with all the details of my story and represented me in a way that made me more able to process and understand the trauma myself. This was huge for me, while there’s still healing to do, I can do that work now instead of staying in a purgatory of cognitive dissonance. They didn’t just win justice for me, they are a significant part of my healing journey. They were validating, non judgmental, honest, and knowledgeable.

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17:29 15 Dec 23

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A D

16:10 08 Dec 23

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12:19 02 Sep 23

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08:42 23 Jul 23

I honestly struggle to find the words to describe how incredible this firm is, especially Jeffrey Kenny and Sean Alto. 7 years ago, my family started a journey through a nightmare. When the criminal justice system fell woefully short, Jeff agreed to take on our incredibly challenging and lengthy case, with no other reason than that it was the right thing to do, and he believed we deserved justice. There were so many times when I would have understood if they walked away, but they refused and vowed to get us the justice we deserved, and almost 7 years later, they have given my family just that. I will never, ever, forget what they have done for us. We were never just another case. They made us feel like we were their ONLY case! Thank you will never come close to the gratitude and respect I have for Jeff and Sean, as well as for Cooper Elliott. They will be superheroes in our home, forever!

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15:30 21 Jul 23

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11:20 16 Jun 23

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Jason Hick

06:30 17 May 23

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