Feel harassed by security guard

louisethenerd

I feel like I'm being harassed by a security guard in college. Last week while I was studying in the reading room, a security guard came in to close up and made a really inappropriate comment about how I was dressed. I was down right offended! However, this was not just a once off. When I was talking with my friends during lectures this same guy would came up to me and start talking to me as if he knows me. He comes across as being really intrusive and abrupt. I don't think it is in his interest to mingle with me or any other students. Who the hell does he think he his? What should I do? Should I report him to his employers or the college? I'm scared of him.

Seren_

Get on to the head of security (his email/number will be on nuim.ie) and report him immediately - that sort of behaviour is not on! Maybe have a chat with Fiach, the SU welfare officer too, he will be able to help you out and lodge the complaint for you in case you would like to remain anonymous or anything.

I hope it all works out for you. Stay safe.

sadie06

louisethenerd wrote: »

I feel like I'm being harassed by a security guard in college. Last week while I was studying in the reading room, a security guard came in to close up and made a really inappropriate comment about how I was dressed. I was down right offended! However, this was not just a once off. When I was talking with my friends during lectures this same guy would came up to me and start talking to me as if he knows me. He comes across as being really intrusive and abrupt. I don't think it is in his interest to mingle with me or any other students. Who the hell does he think he his? What should I do? Should I report him to his employers or the college? I'm scared of him.

Wow...don't see you going far in life with that attitude. Do you really feel that none of the cleaning/catering/gardening/security staff should engage in conversation with the students, and if so, why? What a depressing campus that would be!

I'm shocked that somebody has advised you to report this man, without even knowing the nature of the comment. If his comment was overtly sexual and intimidating, you should consider it obviously, but remember that it could cost him his job. Are you sure it was not just banter?

With regards to him acting like he knows you, have you considered the fact that he may think he knows you? You might resemble someone that he has chatted to on campus in the past.

mickstupp

sadie06 wrote: »

I'm shocked that somebody has advised you to report this man, without even knowing the nature of the comment. If his comment was overtly sexual and intimidating, you should consider it obviously, but remember that it could cost him his job. Are you sure it was not just banter?

I disagree completely with this. If the comment was overtly sexual and intimidating he should be fired on the spot in my opinion. To hell with his job. He doesn't deserve it. Otherwise you're just telling him it's ok to continue treating people inappropriately. I don't believe consideration for a person's job should ever be a factor when it comes to inappropriate behaviour.

However, as you say we don't know what the comment was. Bearing that in mind, I think louisethenerd should take it to the SU and see what they advise. I would certainly do that before going near Security. At least then if it's going to be a serious issue there will be support.

howsyourtusk

Just having the bants, an excuse for a bit of racism/sexism/harassment every day of the week. Probably a top lad.

sadie06

I think we are basically saying the same thing mickstupp. Of course it should be reported if it was overtly sexual, but all the op has said is that it was inappropriate. As she seems to think that it is inappropriate for security staff to even speak to students, yes, I think she could think carefully before she proceeds.

Of course the fact that a person's job is at risk should be considered. There's no going back when the complaint has been lodged. You have to be 100% sure you are doing the right thing. I don't think it's right for people to be encouraging you to report him based on the little information given here, so talk to friends and get feedback from people who know all the details.

Seren_

I think if the OP says she is scared of him, it's pretty obvious what sort of comments have been made. Just because some people may class sexist remarks as "banter", doesn't mean that they can't be hurtful and demeaning.

Once again, I'll say that the OP should talk to Fiach about this and see what her options are. Behaviour like that is disgusting, and it should not be palmed off as unimportant.

Norrdeth

TBH, I think that howsyourtusk is just trying to troll this one.
I would side with an air of caution, as if handled incorrectly it could get worse.
As most bullying cases can suggest.
But if it's really annoying and/or uncomfortable then have a word with the SU.
If it's harmless at least you gave them a scare.

howsyourtusk

My comment was ironic yes but I think it was an instrument to show that banter is a potentially dangerous thing. I wasn't attempting to troll anyone. Just using humour to make a point. Look at the unilad controversy, rape banter, that was all harmless wasn't it? Obviously it wasn't.

Norrdeth

Ah grand, just twas a bit unclear to me. Yes, sometimes there's a fine line between an inappropriate comment and harassment. It's all in the intention.
And particularly if you don't know someone that well. Things can get very weird very quickly.

howsyourtusk

Yes, and here it appears that "banter", i.e. a comment about this girls appearance, was completely unwanted and communicated by a stranger and hence is not banter but sexual harassment. However, we only have one side of the story and accusations like these can be damaging so we can't jump to conclusions.

berrypendel

Sorry to but in. What is the legal test/ definition of harrassment. Would the guard have to be aware that he was causing discomfort to be guilty of harrassment?

Thwip!

berrypendel wrote: »

Sorry to but in. What is the legal test/ definition of harrassment. Would the guard have to be aware that he was causing discomfort to be guilty of harrassment?

Nope. If the person (the student in this case) feels that they are in receipt of unwanted actions, advances etc from a person then it can be considered harassment. The guard's awareness of what he is doing doesnt determine it.

/courtesy of my employer's harassment handbook :P

berrypendel

jpcarlow wrote: »

Nope. If the person (the student in this case) feels that they are in receipt of unwanted actions, advances etc from a person then it can be considered harassment. The guard's awareness of what he is doing doesnt determine it.

/courtesy of my employer's harassment handbook :P

don't know about that

Thwip!

berrypendel wrote: »

don't know about that

looks like i need to get my boss to update his handbook. though that's what he told us, i've yet to see any evidence of an actual handbook :rolleyes:

berrypendel

jpcarlow wrote: »

looks like i need to get my boss to update his handbook. though that's what he told us, i've yet to see any evidence of an actual handbook :rolleyes:

I only know what the guys n the legal forum said but they seem to know their stuff. Good luck with handbook;);)

Eric Cartman

howsyourtusk wrote: »

My comment was ironic yes but I think it was an instrument to show that banter is a potentially dangerous thing. I wasn't attempting to troll anyone. Just using humour to make a point. Look at the unilad controversy, rape banter, that was all harmless wasn't it? Obviously it wasn't.

yes it was. The unilad thing was blown out of proportion, as was the NV debacle. It was just some people being hyper sensetive and getting offended over a non-issue.

freeze4real

It will be your word against his own word unless he has a history of inappropriate words and gestures.