Q&A: Lack of Modesty as Sexual Harassment
Lack of Modesty as Sexual Harassment
Question
I came across a claim, originally from Rabbanit Uriya Mevorach (it was a long time ago, so it’s very possible I’m distorting her words), that goes roughly like this: when women walk around in clothing that exposes body parts with an unmistakably sexual meaning (and all the more so giant billboards of women in minimal clothing, etc.), that naturally arouses in men a reaction they often do not want. This can be either involuntary sexual arousal, or a kind of disgust (as we might feel, for example, at the sight of a naked person). In both of these cases, this is a kind of sexual harassment. Does the Rabbi agree?
Answer
Absolutely, although there is always the question of where to draw the line. I wrote this myself in a column that dealt with the issue.
If the question refers to “sexual harassment” as defined by law, then it would be worth going and reading the language of the law.
If the question refers to the opinion of this sage or another, then the answer will be wise or otherwise.