My girlfriend is attending a drug rehabilitation government facility in Virginia. As part of the program they not only work with helping with addiction, but correcting what they consider bad personality traits or habits. My girlfriend is an attractive 25 year old woman who has in the past gotten unwanted attention because of her looks. She once got a job partially based on her qualifications and partially based on how attractive she looked (this was made known to her from the former company). While in drug rehab incidents have occured where men in the program have inappropriately said things or written her letters. She took these letters and comments to her counsler, the person in care of her while she was there.
To make a long story short, the assistant director of the facility accused her of causing the situation and called her a prosititute and forced her to admit she was a 'prostitute' because she uses her looks to get what she wants (once again this is not true). Because this was a person of authority in the facility she is attending she felt she had no option but to agree with him even though she was not or has ever been a prostitute for fear of punishment (they would claim she is not improving since she is not willing to admit the truth). I have since looked up the definition of 'prostitute' in Virginia law and from what I can tell it involves trading sex for money, something my girlfriend has never done or ever been accused of. Sexual harrassment laws seem to fit except they only refer to the work place and she is not an employee of the facility.
I realize that it may seem that I am making a big deal over a comment that may not seem like a big deal. But there have been other situations going on in which it seems the persons running the facility are not acting in a manner befitting or conducive to her rehabilitation. The comment has really bothered her and she feels as that no one takes her seriously. Not only that but they have told her that she needs to stand up to men who say inappropriate things to her. This is the reason I am encouraging her to stand up for herself and file a complaint.
Can it be considered sexual harrassment? Is it libel or slander? I do not think this warrants her bringing it to court, but would like to get the facts so that she can file a solid complaint.
Thank you for your time.
Ryan
To make a long story short, the assistant director of the facility accused her of causing the situation and called her a prosititute and forced her to admit she was a 'prostitute' because she uses her looks to get what she wants (once again this is not true). Because this was a person of authority in the facility she is attending she felt she had no option but to agree with him even though she was not or has ever been a prostitute for fear of punishment (they would claim she is not improving since she is not willing to admit the truth). I have since looked up the definition of 'prostitute' in Virginia law and from what I can tell it involves trading sex for money, something my girlfriend has never done or ever been accused of. Sexual harrassment laws seem to fit except they only refer to the work place and she is not an employee of the facility.
I realize that it may seem that I am making a big deal over a comment that may not seem like a big deal. But there have been other situations going on in which it seems the persons running the facility are not acting in a manner befitting or conducive to her rehabilitation. The comment has really bothered her and she feels as that no one takes her seriously. Not only that but they have told her that she needs to stand up to men who say inappropriate things to her. This is the reason I am encouraging her to stand up for herself and file a complaint.
Can it be considered sexual harrassment? Is it libel or slander? I do not think this warrants her bringing it to court, but would like to get the facts so that she can file a solid complaint.
Thank you for your time.
Ryan
