Asking Questions Without Consent About Sexual Life Constitutes Severe Sexual Harassment

Both internationally and nationally, it is unequivocally clear: asking questions about someone’s sexual life without their consent constitutes severe sexual harassment. Numerous organizations, regulations, and protocols explicitly state this. For instance, both internationally and in Spain, this is reflected in the Navarre Institute for Equality of the Government of Navarre, which defines «Asking about sexual life» as severe sexual harassment. The same applies to the protocol developed by the Equality and Working Time Commission of the Labor Relations Council of Catalonia: «Spreading rumors, asking, or discussing a person’s sexual life and sexual preferences» is cited as an example of behavior that «may indicate the existence of sexual harassment».

Highly prestigious international universities also classify it as such. For example, Northwestern University (ranked first globally in Materials Science & Engineering by the Shanghai ranking) has a clear stance that «Asking about a person’s sexual fantasies, sexual preferences, or sexual activities» is an example of sexual harassment. Furthermore, this type of questioning about one’s sexual life violates Human Rights, considering that Article 12 states that «No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with their privacy… nor to attacks upon their honor and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.»

Moreover, these types of questions are a common tactic used against victims of sexual harassment and victims of isolating gender violence, often as retaliation for supporting victims. And, obviously, they denote profound envy on the part of those asking the questions.