
In a sexual harassment lawsuit, the victim who files the lawsuit is known as the “plaintiff.” The people or organizations she sues are the “defendants.” The defendants in a sexual harassment lawsuit can be the victim’s employer where the harassment took place or the harasser himself. The defendant can also be a person or organization that permitted the harassment to take place though he/it had the power and responsibility to stop it.
In an arbitration, an alternative to a lawsuit, the plaintiff is typically referred to as “the claimant” and the defendant is the “respondent.”
Not only is sexual harassment illegal. The law also prohibits:
- Racial harassment
- Religious harassment
- Age-based harassment
- Harassment based on disability
- Harassment based on ethnicity or national origin
- Retaliation
Most people are familiar with workplace sexual harassment claims. Harassment in professional, business, and educational relationships are also illegal.