Sexual Harassment Attorney in Boston

Sexual harassment is a serious violation that can occur in workplaces, schools, public spaces, digital platforms, and professional environments. It involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, inappropriate comments, or other verbal, physical, or visual conduct of a sexual nature. This behavior creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment that undermines dignity and safety.

The consequences of sexual harassment are not limited to the immediate incident. Victims often experience profound emotional and psychological trauma, career setbacks, financial instability, and damaged relationships. The stigma and fear surrounding harassment can prevent survivors from speaking out or seeking help, leaving them isolated and vulnerable to continued abuse.

At Boston Injury Law Group, we understand the courage it takes to come forward. We provide confidential, compassionate support to survivors of sexual harassment throughout Massachusetts. Our experienced attorneys are committed to protecting your rights, holding perpetrators accountable, and helping you reclaim your sense of safety and justice.

Why Sexual Harassment Is So Harmful

Sexual harassment inflicts damage that ripples through every aspect of a victim’s life, creating lasting harm that extends far beyond the initial incident.

• Emotional and mental impact – Survivors frequently develop anxiety, depression, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), and overwhelming feelings of shame or guilt. Trust in others becomes difficult, especially in professional or educational settings where harassment has occurred. Many victims experience flashbacks, nightmares, and constant hypervigilance that interfere with daily functioning.
• Professional and financial consequences – Harassment often derails careers and financial stability. Victims may be forced to resign, lose job opportunities, face demotions, or experience blocked promotions. Some perpetrators use their power to blacklist victims in their industries. The financial impact includes lost income, missed career advancement, and reduced lifetime earning potential.
• Social effects ­­– The stress and trauma of harassment strain personal relationships. Victims may withdraw from friends and family, feeling unable to explain what they’ve experienced. Isolation becomes both a symptom of trauma and a barrier to healing.
• Health impacts ­– Chronic stress from harassment manifests physically through sleep disorders, headaches, digestive problems, high blood pressure, and weakened immune systems. The constant stress of dealing with hostile environments takes a measurable toll on physical health.

Common Forms of Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment takes many forms, all of which create unsafe and unwelcome environments.

• Verbal harassment includes sexually explicit comments, inappropriate jokes, unwanted sexual propositions, questions about someone’s sex life, comments about their body or appearance, and repeated requests for dates after being refused.
• Physical harassment involves unwelcome touching, groping, blocking someone’s path, assault, physical intimidation, and threats of bodily harm or sexual violence.
• Visual harassment encompasses displaying sexually explicit images or videos, making lewd gestures, sexually staring at someone’s body, or sending inappropriate photos without consent.
• Online and digital harassment has become increasingly common, including unwanted direct messages of a sexual nature, sharing intimate images without consent, cyberstalking, sexual threats through digital platforms, and coercive sexting.
• Quid pro quo harassment occurs when someone in a position of authority demands sexual favors in exchange for job benefits, grades, promotions, or avoiding negative consequences. This abuse of power is among the most serious forms of harassment.
• Hostile environment harassment happens when unwelcome sexual conduct creates an intimidating, offensive, or abusive atmosphere that interferes with work performance or educational opportunities.

Where Sexual Harassment Commonly Occurs in Boston

Sexual harassment happens across diverse settings throughout Massachusetts.

Workplaces and corporate offices are frequent locations for harassment, where power dynamics and professional relationships create opportunities for abuse. Harassment may come from supervisors, colleagues, or clients.

Healthcare and professional settings see harassment of patients by providers and staff, as well as by superiors or colleagues. The vulnerable nature of medical care can make harassment particularly traumatic.

Colleges and universities experience significant rates of harassment involving students, faculty, and staff. Academic power structures and social pressures can discourage reporting.

Hospitality and service industries present heightened risks due to customer interactions, tipped positions, and workplace cultures that sometimes dismiss harassment as normal.

Rideshare and transportation settings create isolated situations in which drivers or passengers may exploit vulnerabilities.

Public spaces and social settings, including restaurants, bars, gyms, and events, are locations where harassment occurs outside formal institutional structures.

Online platforms have become common venues for harassment through social media, professional networking sites, gaming platforms, and messaging apps.

What to Do After Experiencing Sexual Harassment in Boston

Taking appropriate steps after experiencing harassment can protect your safety, preserve evidence, and strengthen potential legal claims.

1. Ensure immediate safety – If you face an immediate threat, remove yourself from the situation and contact law enforcement. Your physical safety is the highest priority.
2. Document all incidents – Create detailed records of what happened, including dates, times, locations, what was said or done, and who was present. Save text messages, emails, voicemails, and social media messages. Take screenshots before the content can be deleted. Note the names and contact information of any witnesses. Maintain a timeline showing patterns of behavior.
3. Report through appropriate channels when safe ­– Depending on the setting, this might mean notifying human resources, Title IX coordinators at educational institutions, the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission), or MCAD (the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination). If the harassment involves criminal conduct like assault, contact law enforcement. However, only report when you feel safe doing so, since retaliation is a genuine concern.
4. Track any retaliation – Document any negative treatment following a harassment report, including demotions, schedule changes, hostile behavior from colleagues, or termination. Retaliation is illegal and provides additional grounds for legal action.
5. Seek medical and mental health support if needed – Physical and psychological care is vital for your wellbeing and creates medical records documenting the impact of harassment.
6. Avoid signing statements or settlements without legal advice – Employers or institutions may pressure you to sign documents quickly. Consult with an attorney before signing anything that might waive your rights or limit your options.

Choosing the Right Sexual Harassment Attorney in Boston

Selecting an attorney who understands the unique challenges of harassment cases is essential. Here’s how to achieve this:

• Experience with harassment and trauma-sensitive cases – Look for attorneys who specialize in sexual harassment and understand the psychological impact on survivors. Experience with both workplace and educational harassment cases is valuable.
• Private, confidential, judgment-free communication – Your attorney should provide a safe space to discuss sensitive details without fear of judgment. Confidentiality must be absolute.
• Proven results in negotiation and litigation – Choose lawyers with successful track records securing compensation through settlements and court verdicts in harassment cases.
• Ability to protect against retaliation – Your attorney should know how to prevent and address retaliation, filing additional claims if necessary.
• Survivor-centered legal approach – The best harassment attorneys prioritize your well-being and autonomy, allowing you to make informed decisions about your case while providing expert guidance.

Massachusetts Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Laws

Massachusetts and federal laws provide strong protections against sexual harassment.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits workplace sexual harassment. Massachusetts General Law Chapter 151B provides similar protections under state anti-discrimination law. Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination, including harassment, in educational institutions receiving federal funding.

For MCAD complaints, you generally have three years from the last incident of harassment to file. EEOC complaints must be filed within 300 days. Civil lawsuits have a three-year statute of limitations. These deadlines make prompt legal consultation necessary.

You have the right to work and learn in environments free from sexual harassment. Employers and institutions must take complaints seriously, investigate promptly, and take corrective action. They cannot retaliate against individuals who report harassment or participate in investigations.

Any adverse employment action taken because you reported harassment or participated in an investigation violates the law. Retaliation claims can proceed independently and may result in additional compensation.

Compensation and Legal Remedies Available

Victims of sexual harassment may recover various forms of compensation and remedies, such as:

• Emotional distress, pain, and suffering damages compensate for the psychological harm caused by harassment, including anxiety, depression, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Therapy, medical, and psychiatric care costs cover mental health treatment, counseling, medication, and any medical care necessitated by harassment-related stress or assault.
• Lost income, missed promotions, and reduced earning ability address financial harm from job loss, forced resignation, demotions, or career derailment caused by harassment or retaliation.
• Punitive damages, when applicable, may be awarded in cases involving particularly egregious conduct, designed to punish perpetrators and deter similar behavior.
• Workplace solutions can include transfers to different departments, reinstatement to previous positions, policy changes, training requirements, or removal of harassers from positions of authority.
• Confidential settlements are available to resolve many harassment cases privately, protecting your identity and allowing you to move forward without public disclosure.

How Our Boston Sexual Harassment Attorneys Can Help

Boston Injury Law Group provides comprehensive support throughout your harassment claim.

1. Safe, confidential consultation – We offer private consultations where you can share your experience without judgment. Everything you tell us remains confidential.
2. Full case investigation and evidence support – Our team gathers all available evidence, interviews witnesses, obtains relevant documents, and builds a compelling case demonstrating the harassment you experienced.
3. Work with employment, medical, and financial experts – We consult with specialists who can testify about workplace standards, document psychological harm, and calculate economic damages.
4. Handle communication with all parties – We manage all interactions with employers, insurance companies, and opposing counsel, protecting you from further harassment or intimidation.
5. Skilled negotiation for maximum settlement – We negotiate aggressively for settlements that fully compensate your damages while protecting your interests.
6. Trial-ready representation – If fair settlement proves impossible, we’re prepared to take your case to court and present compelling arguments before judges and juries.

Why Choose Boston Injury Law Group

Our firm brings unique strengths to sexual harassment cases that set us apart.

• We understand the psychological impact of harassment and approach every case with sensitivity and respect for your experience.
• We protect your privacy throughout the legal process and handle sensitive information with utmost discretion.
• Our attorneys are thoroughly familiar with state and federal harassment laws and stay current on legal developments affecting your rights.
• We have successfully represented numerous harassment survivors, securing substantial compensation and meaningful accountability.
• We combine fierce legal representation with genuine compassion, fighting vigorously for your rights while supporting you through a complicated process.

Take the First Step Toward Justice

If you or someone you love has been a victim of sexual harassment in Boston, you are not alone. Speaking up takes tremendous courage, and you deserve support from attorneys who will believe you, protect your rights, and fight for justice.

Contact Boston Injury Law Group today for a free and confidential consultation. Let us help you explore your legal options and begin reclaiming your sense of safety, dignity, and control. You deserve to work, learn, and live free from harassment, and we’re here to make that possible.