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Your current state is Virginia
Is it a criminal offense if I was unknowingly videotaped having sexual encounters without my consent? I know who recorded it but am unsure if the video has been shared. I have confronted the person and am seeking legal advice on possible actions to take.

answered on May 29, 2025
In Virginia, it is a criminal offense for a person to photograph or video a person when they are nude or in a state of undress without their consent. Likewise, it is a separate criminal offense to disseminate those images or videos without the person's consent.
Based on your question,... View More
I have been exchanging jokes of a sexual nature with a coworker for about three years. I'm gay and she's straight, and we've always had a mutual understanding without any prior complaints to HR. Recently, a new coworker overheard a comment I made and reported it to HR as sexual... View More

answered on May 18, 2025
I understand how stressful this situation can be. Workplace misunderstandings and complaints, especially those involving allegations of sexual harassment, can have serious consequences. In New York, sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile or... View More
I have been joking with a coworker in a sexual nature for about 3 years. I'm gay and she's straight. Recently, a new coworker reported a comment I made to HR as sexual harassment, even though my longtime coworker and I have had similar exchanges without issue. There was a previous minor... View More

answered on May 16, 2025
Mr. Giordano is right. None of us knows what others find offensive. That co-worker may have reported offensiveness based on several grounds not excluding religion. You say a "new co-worker" which might help you. Petty slights or stray remarks are not actionable but New York State's... View More
I have been joking with a coworker in a sexual nature for about 3 years. I'm gay and she's straight. Recently, a new coworker reported a comment I made to HR as sexual harassment, even though my longtime coworker and I have had similar exchanges without issue. There was a previous minor... View More

answered on May 18, 2025
I understand that being reported for sexual harassment after years of joking with a coworker can be confusing and stressful, especially when the interactions were previously mutual and welcome. In New York, sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile... View More
I have been joking with a coworker in a sexual nature for about 3 years. I'm gay and she's straight. Recently, a new coworker reported a comment I made to HR as sexual harassment, even though my longtime coworker and I have had similar exchanges without issue. There was a previous minor... View More

answered on May 16, 2025
It would be wise to refrain from such further banter. Once your employer is on notice of what might be considered a "hostile environment" or unwanted discussion or behavior of a sexual nature, even if intended in the most innocent manner and not unwelcome by other colleagues, the employer... View More
On April 16, an employee sexually assaulted me at work. I reported the incident to corporate ethics & compliance, my store manager, and district manager, informing them I felt uncomfortable working with the individual. I was told a case would be opened. Despite the employee admitting to the... View More

answered on May 13, 2025
You can sue both your employer for not taking appropriate corrective action, such as firing the harasser or at least separating you and the harasser. In addition, you can sue the harasser personally. Please keep detailed written records. You should tell your employer in writing that you feel... View More
On April 16, an employee sexually assaulted me at work. I reported the incident to corporate ethics & compliance, my store manager, and district manager, informing them I felt uncomfortable working with the individual. I was told a case would be opened. Despite the employee admitting to the... View More

answered on May 13, 2025
Technically, your employer is not legally obligated to fire an employee who has sexually assaulted you. It is required to make all reasonable efforts to protect you from further sexual harassment and/or assault. In many situations that might be possible without terminating the offending employee.... View More
On April 16, an employee sexually assaulted me at work. I reported the incident to corporate ethics & compliance, my store manager, and district manager, informing them I felt uncomfortable working with the individual. I was told a case would be opened. Despite the employee admitting to the... View More

answered on May 17, 2025
Your feelings of being abandoned and not protected by your employer are completely normal and understandable. While an employer has no legal obligation to fire that employee and you cannot force them to, the failure to fire the attacker can make the employer liable in damages to you for failing to... View More
I worked as an IHSS provider for a friend in California, who made sexual advances toward me and suggested I would get more hours if I reciprocated. I decided to ignore his attempts and continued working. Recently, I quit as I was planning to move out of state, and he agreed to pay me for my last 35... View More

answered on May 8, 2025
Sending a written complaint to your employer is not required before filing a sexual harassment claim in Court. You have claims for unpaid wages, failure to pay minimum wage (and liquidated damages equal to the 35 hours at minimum wage), a paystub violation, waiting time penalties of 1 day's... View More
I reported an incident where an employee returned from a break smelling of marijuana, which violates our company's zero-tolerance drug policy. After reporting the incident to management, I faced intimidation and felt unsafe due to colleagues' threatening behavior, including making violent... View More

answered on Apr 27, 2025
Unless you are the employee's direct supervisor and you have the authority to discipline/fire employees, you wouldn't expect your employer to terminate the employee based solely on your report. It has nothing to do with your veracity but your employer cannot assume the liability for... View More
He's forced me down on him my wrist was sprained hes left dark purple bruises on my son from spanking him very hard and smacked his face to where he was so scared of his father and keeps telling me he doesnt want to go he tells me he is scared of his father at age 3 a child is scared of his... View More

answered on Apr 4, 2025
Call SWAN. It is a shelter for women and children in Olney. Open 24 hours. 618-392-3556. They can provide shelter, food and clothing, help with an Order of Protection, counseling for women and children. They will help you find a job, get transportation, do a resume, work with the police, take... View More
I was sexually assaulted at work around 2017 or 2018. Despite having witnesses and camera footage, my manager did not report the incident to the police or take any action. I had to continue serving the customer involved. I spoke to a psychiatrist about it, but he said it wasn't sexual assault.... View More

answered on Apr 3, 2025
You claim that you were sexually assaulted 8 or 9 years ago. You also tell us that your psychiatrist advised you the situation that you conveyed did NOTconstitute sexual assault. You tell us that your manager made NO police report but your manager was not assaulted. You claim that you were... View More
I experienced sexual harassment from a manager who would grab my arm or waist despite safety protocols and called me "baby" after I expressed my discomfort. I've informed a coworker about these incidents, but no formal complaint was filed. Since I've transferred to a different... View More

answered on Mar 31, 2025
OK, so if a female is sexually harassed on the job, in order to pursue a lawsuit against the employer she has to report the harassment to HR. However, once the employer remedies the problem by either terminating the perpetrator or separating the two employees, then you have no claim against the... View More
I have been accused of harassment, with claims that I said something inappropriate to the accuser. However, I did not say what they claim, and I do not know who the accuser is. The matter is currently being investigated in-house, with no legal proceedings in place yet. What should I do now?

answered on Mar 22, 2025
Do not agree to be interrogated without representation.
If you have been accused of saying something and you know that you did not say it, then you know exactly what you are accused of saying. Usually, there are a limited number of people to whom the comment could have been addressed.... View More
I am a 64-year-old woman with Tourette’s working in Florida, and I have been experiencing harassment and bullying from coworkers and my manager for the past 1.5 years. They make fun of and imitate my tics, and one coworker even made cardboard blinders not to look at my face. Despite making one... View More

answered on Mar 18, 2025
First an employee being subjected to this behavior should contact the company human resources department or officers and report in writing the offensive conduct. You should look for and ask for employee manual or handbook. If no HR, then report to the management and higher ranking officers. If you... View More
I was physically sexually harassed during an ultrasound appointment at a doctor's office. I reported the incident via email to the office, and the primary care physician himself called me back. He mentioned that the ultrasound technician has been there for 15 years but did not give me his... View More

answered on Mar 12, 2025
I’m assuming you do not work for this physician.
The term “sexual harassment” in the legal context refers to a particular type of claim arising in the workplace. There really isn’t an independent legal claim for sexual harassment arising outside the employment relationship.... View More
I am a healthcare employee and have reported incidents of sexual harassment, verbal threats, and physical abuse from residents over the past six months. Although I have submitted written reports and have witnesses to these incidents, management has taken no action. When I refuse to work with these... View More

answered on Mar 9, 2025
If you're personally a victim of sexual harassment, it seems likely you could be able to sue for that on the grounds of creating a hostile work environment. If you're being retaliated against for pointing out the harassment, once again, you could potentially sue for the employer creating... View More
I am a healthcare employee and have reported incidents of sexual harassment, verbal threats, and physical abuse from residents over the past six months. Although I have submitted written reports and have witnesses to these incidents, management has taken no action. When I refuse to work with these... View More

answered on Mar 9, 2025
You likely have a claim for not protecting you from sexual harassment in your job and a potential claim for retaliation. Since you state that management is not responsive, you may need to escalate this above HR in writing to senior management or even the owners of the company. You should consult... View More
I'm facing an issue with my current partner who has threatened to report unfounded allegations of sexual abuse to ruin my life after I expressed doubts about our relationship. She claims to have videos taken without my knowledge during role play. We've discussed this, but she becomes... View More

answered on Mar 8, 2025
Document everything g with your therapist and keep an eye out and an ear open for anything else that would disprove the false allegations. I would refrain from discussing any of that with your partner and I would conversely act unfazed, unconcerned and like it doesn’t bother you if she brings it... View More
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answered on Feb 6, 2025
I'm so sorry that this happened to you. What happened could give rise to both criminal charges for the person who attacked you and a personal injury and other civil actions as well. If you working at the time this happened, you may also be eligible to file a worker's compensation claim. I... View More
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