Sacramento Same-Sex Sexual Harassment Lawyer

Sacramento Same-Sex Sexual Harassment Attorney

Employees across California have a right to work in an environment where they are free from harassment and discrimination. Unfortunately, many members of the state’s LGBTQ community do not feel as protected as they should while at work. If you are a member of this community and believe you are a victim of same-sex harassment, you don’t need to suffer in silence. Speaking with a Sacramento same-sex sexual harassment lawyer can help.

At Fulton Law Corporation, we offer legal support to anyone in the LGBTQ community who has faced same-sex harassment at work. Our team of attorneys understands the nuances of California’s anti-discrimination laws and can leverage our knowledge to help correct any unlawful behavior our clients have faced. We believe everyone has the right to work in an environment that respects their dignity and safety, and we are standing by to guide you through the legal process.

What is Same-Sex Sexual Harassment?

Same-sex sexual harassment covers a wide range of behaviors where an individual has been subjected to unwanted sexual advances from another person. While sexual harassment is prevalent among men and women, this form of abuse is not exclusive to those of the opposite sex. These situations can happen in many different environments, such as in a work setting, academia, and other private and public spaces.

The impact of sexual assault extends further than just physical consequences. This abuse can also affect an individual’s mental and emotional health. For example, experiencing various levels of stress, anxiety, and depression are potential symptoms of this abuse. This can lead to a decrease in a victim’s ability to perform well at work or in school. Being able to recognize instances of same-sex harassment can help promote safe environments for everyone.

Legal Protections Against Sam-Sex Harassment in Sacramento, CA

California has a number of laws designed to protect same-sex employees from gender discrimination and sexual harassment. This legislation aligns with the state’s overall mission to foster inclusive and respectful workplace environments. For example, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) penalizes anyone who is found guilty of harassing another based on their gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

The state’s civil code also provides same-sex individuals the right to sue for damages in civil court. This gives victims the opportunity to seek compensation for any physical or emotional distress they have faced from the abuse. This legal measure is supported by California’s Civil Rights Department, which investigates all complaints of same-sex harassment to help ensure any victim has a way to stop the abuse, hold employers accountable, and prevent the harassment from happening to others in the future.

How Can I Prove Same-Sex Sexual Harassment?

To effectively prove same-sex harassment happened, you and an attorney will need to gather comprehensive evidence to link the unwanted sexual conduct to specific damages. Some of the most common forms of evidence used in these cases include:

• Documents: You want to keep a record of all instances that detail the nature of the harassment, such as specific dates, times, and where each event happened. Digital communications such as emails, text messages, or anything handwritten should also be saved to prove fault. Even supplying journal entries where you have documented what happened can be useful evidence to help support your position in court.
• Corroborating Testimonies: If anyone else witnessed or experienced specific instances of abuse, their testimony could be another crucial factor in your same-sex harassment case. If someone didn’t see anything happen but could testify to an individual’s character that suggests a bias toward the LGBTQ community, this can also help support the employee’s claim.

Working with a workplace harassment attorney in Sacramento can help validate that all possible evidence has been collected to prove you have been harassed. Their supervision can also ensure that evidence is legally collected and, as a result, admissible in court.

FAQ

Q: What Are the Grounds for a Sexual Discrimination Lawsuit?

A: Sexual discrimination lawsuits are filed when an individual believes they were treated unlawfully based on their sex, gender identity, or orientation. These lawsuits are often triggered by an event that occurs during common employment milestones, such as being hired, fired, promoted, receiving a salary adjustment, etc. To prove that discrimination happened, you and your attorney need to prove that your allegations happened and that they are linked to harm or distress.

Q: What Are the Characteristics That Qualify a Situation as Harassment?

A: Scenarios can be deemed harassment if someone’s behavior involves unwanted or unwelcome language, gestures, or any physical contact that is sexual in nature. It becomes actionable under the law when it begins to create a hostile work environment or if the conduct becomes a condition of continued employment. For example, if a boss demanded certain sexual favors from someone to prevent themselves from being fired, they would be guilty of sexual harassment.

Q: What Are the Three Types of Harassment?

A: The three most common types of harassment that are legally recognized are quid pro quo, hostile work environment, and retaliation. Quid pro quo is when someone must submit to certain sexual advances to receive a certain job benefit or avoid negative consequences. Hostile work environments are when harassment has become so pervasive throughout an organization that it becomes intimidating and abusive. Retaliation is when an employer takes unlawful, negative action against an employee for reporting illegal behavior.

Q: What Is Intersectional Harassment?

A: The concept of intersectional harassment is when an individual experiences discriminatory behavior based on multiple aspects of their identity, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, or age. Because individuals can hold multiple identities at once, intersectional harassment recognizes how complex discrimination cases can become when the abuse intersects. Understanding this spectrum of discriminatory behavior is crucial to combat all forms of abuse.

Contact Fulton Law Corporation Today

If you believe you have experienced same-sex sexual harassment and are not sure where to turn for help, connect with the workplace harassment lawyers of Fulton Law Corporation today. For years, we have investigated an endless number of cases and would be honored to leverage our skills to support your case. If you have been sexually harassed, contact us to learn more about how we can help earn you compensation.