Some Fundamental Flaws in the Design of Sexual Harassment Policies

This paper suggests that the current social issue/problem concerning sexual harassment is exacerbated by some theoretical problems found in sexual harassment policies. There are a number of ethical considerations that need to be considered but in particular the distinction between the social and the individual is problematic in the liberal tradition. Practical problems in the application of policies arise from this, both in the matter of public accountability and the actual procedures of resolving instances of sexual harassment. The paper is exploratory in nature rather than prescriptive and does not intend to be comprehensive. Further questions need to be formulated by ethicists, social scientists, administrators, and those responsible for the implementation of such policies before an adequate response to sexual harassment will be possible.