Structure for Common Offenses of Sexual Harassment Academe: Academic Authority, Organizational Environment and Gender-based Discrimination: Chinese Examples

This paper identifies the characteristics of sexual harassment in academe and structural factors contributing to its rise and continuity based on individual cases in Mainland China. It argues that both parties in sexual harassment in academe are in a power relationship that is different from that in other workplace. Students, especially graduate students rely on their professors' evaluation not only in their studies, living, income, but also future career. Professors may use their power tactically taking advantage of their superior experience in society and sex and their inexperienced students who find it difficult to resist and report. In academia, academic authority is too concentrated in the organizational environment. There lack rules to regulate professor and students relationships. The existence of gender-based discrimination in academic institutions is the root cause of sexual harassment that is overlooked, rationalized, tolerated and exempted from punishment.