In today's society we constantly hear or read about individuals who say they have been victims of sexual pressure. These cases can occur at work, school, the military, and even church. But what exactly is sexual exploitation or unwanted sexual behavior? After reviewing several definitions of sexual abuse, I came across the following definition that I believe will help all of us better understand what inappropriate sexual behavior is. Sexual harassment has been defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) as unwanted advances and requests for sexual behavior or conditional demands such as a person's employment that will continue if he or she performs these acts. (Gale Group, 2003). This definition made me think and believe that unwanted sexual advances and inappropriate behavior existed long before they were defined as “sexual harassment” and recognized by law as an offensive act. When we truly look back at history we can say that slaves and maids endured unwanted sexual advances, exploitation and pressure day after day. They were belittled by their masters/employers and were forced to provide sexual favors in order to survive. The decision to find an all-encompassing word for the sexual mistreatment of women was no easy task and it was up to activists and lawyers like Lin Farley, Susan Meyer and Catharine MacKinnon who brainstormed to come up with the term “sexual harassment.” in the 70s. (Farley) However, it was not until 1964, when the Civil Rights Act was passed, that the word sexual harassment was truly brought into law and banned from the workplace. This offensive advancement can happen at any time and almost anywhere. The harasser is usually... middle of paper......n.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_harassment#Early_history_of_the_use_of_the_termGale Group. (2003). Gale Encyclopedia of Everyday Law. Retrieved 10 29, 2011, from eNotes: http://www.enotes.com/everyday-law-encyclopedia/sexual-harassmentSexual Harassment. (n.d.). Retrieved 10 29, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_harassment#Effects_of_sexual_harassment_and_the_.28often.29_accompanying_retaliationThe Advocates for Human Rights - Stop Violence Against Women. (1992). Effects of sexual harassment. Retrieved 10/29/2011 from The Advocates for Human Rights - Stop Violence Against Women: http://stopvaw.org/Effects_of_Sexual_Harassment.htmlU.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (n.d.). Facts about sexual harassment. Retrieved 10/29/2011 from U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/publications/fs-sex.cfm