Harassment is any unwelcomed behaviour aimed at or effecting in violating the dignity of an individual and creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that individual. It can take many different forms, from gestures to insults or other behaviour intended to oppress the harassed person.

Example: A professor often jokes in the presence of an assistant of Roma origin that everyone must watch their wallets in his presence.

Sexual harassment is any unwelcomed behaviour of a sexual nature or referring to the sex of an individual aimed at or effecting in of violating the dignity of an individual, in particular by creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that person. Such behaviour may include physical, verbal or non-verbal elements. It can take many different forms such as inappropriate sexual jokes, insinuations, obscene comments, touching, emotional blackmail, etc. Sexual harassment may also constitute a crime under the provisions of the Penal Code of 6 June 1997 (articles 197, 198, 199).

Example: A department head lets his subordinate know that her employment at a research project is conditional on her meeting him privately.