Position Statement on Sexual Harassment
Unwelcome sexual solicitation, physical advances, or verbal or nonverbal conduct that is/are sexual in nature constitute sexual harassment when such conduct interfere(s) with performance; creates an unsafe, hostile, intimidating, or offensive environment; and/or is made a condition of academic or employment decisions or participation in ABAI-sanctioned activities.
Sexual harassment is a serious violation of professional ethics and should be regarded and treated as such by members of the profession. Sexual harassment is a form of prohibited discrimination when an institution or individual is aware of a sexually hostile environment and condones, tolerates, or allows that conduct to persist. We encourage all organizations to supply clear, fair institutional procedures under which charges of sexual harassment can be brought, assessed, and acted on. No employee or student, either in a professional or in an academic environment, should be subject to unwelcome verbal or physical conduct that is sexual in nature.
Individuals who conduct professional activities (e.g., employment interviews) in conjunction with ABAI conventions should make sure that the conditions in which those activities take place, and the manner in which they are conducted, are appropriately professional and nonthreatening.
Members of the association—particularly members exercising authority of any kind—and anyone participating in ABAI events must be aware of this policy, take alleged violations seriously, prevent violations where possible, and when not preventable, report alleged violations.
ABAI is a member of the Societies Consortium on Sexual Harassment in STEMM, the strategic focus of which is to, “[build] communities actively intolerant of sexual and intersecting bases of harassment and [build] bridges for collective efforts across STEMM—among societies, academic and research institutions, teaching hospitals and others, as well as researchers, faculty, and students.”