“Harassment is the repetition of unwanted behaviour.”

João Caiado Guerreiro, Lawyer and Partner at Caiado Guerreiro, comments on the television channel SIC Notícias on the alleged case of sexual harassment and improper conduct at the Centre for Social Studies (CES) at the University of Coimbra.
News 12/04/2023

João Caiado Guerreiro, Lawyer and Partner at Caiado Guerreiro, commented on the television channel SIC Notícias the alleged case of sexual harassment and improper conduct at the Social Studies Centre (CES) of the University of Coimbra, clarifying the legal framework associated with this type of crime.

“Harassment is the repetition of unwanted behaviour. People relate to people they know. Even if in a position of power, someone saying to another person, ‘I like you; do you want to come to dinner with me?’ is not harassment. Harassment is after the other person says he doesn’t want to, that he’s not interested, he continues to insist”, explains Caiado Guerreiro’s managing partner.

The situation changes when this “declaration of intention” is associated with a counterpart that, in case of refusal on the part of the guest, they may be harmed. In this case, it is a case of “use of the position of power”, which constitutes an abusive situation.

“Abusive is if there is this penalising context, but this is completely different behaviour—that is punishable criminally and by the labour laws that will apply here. The simple invitation made once is not harassment. He concludes that it is a normal relationship between two people, both natural adults”.

Watch the commentary on SIC Notícias.


The content of this information does not constitute any specific legal advice; the latter can only be given when faced with a specific case. Please contact us for any further clarification or information deemed necessary in what concerns the application of the law.

Practice Areas

  • Civil Litigation
  • Litigation

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