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[SueH]

The issue of sexual harassment is a difficult one but I would like to make one observation. Bear in mind that this is the product of my experiences and others may have had different ones. I�m late 40�s with the additional confidence which comes from age (I certainly couldn�t have been a teacher when younger), tall and with an athletic build. All of these things may be significant and I don�t think men realise what natural bullies they can be just with their physical presence. I don�t tend to get this because of my own stature.

Equally as important though, is a question of attitude. It�s difficult to say anything in this area without coming perilously close to a �blame the victim� syndrome but I�ve also seen enough of this in my life, whereby some people seem to broadcast their victim status and suffer accordingly. If you take the view that you are not going to suffer from something, it won�t prevent it, but it does seem to raise the odds in your favour. Starting from the premise that sexual harassment is a major issue I feel is the wrong place to start. Better to tell yourself �It�s not going to happen to me, but IF it does�.�

An earlier phrase in this thread was� will I �be made to feel uncomfortable?�... Only if you let them. Believe in and uphold your own standards and you�ll be fine.