Dear Amy,

I am a sophomore in college and about two months ago I took an internship at a radio station. One of the disc jockeys gave me a ride home and the sexual harassment I received was unexplainable. Well I was shocked because I knew the industry of communication took a lot of effort especially being in the position of not sleeping your way to the top, but I'm so young. I never thought I would be exposed to that kind of treatment so early in my life. I think I do need some type of guidance so I can pursue my goals and not give up because of this one negative experience.

Rhonda

Dear Rhonda,

From your email, I can't tell exactly what happened to you and so I don't know if I can give you any concrete advice. However, I can share my own experience, which might give you some hope. When I was in high school I worked at an ice cream shop, where I had to arrive early in the morning and work alone with the owner's 60 year-old uncle, who was the baker. He would fondle me and say things to me that were entirely inappropriate -- and I didn't feel like I had any recourse. That was one of my first real jobs. Others were babysitting, catering, etc.... And it was certainly an awkward situation, but I can confidently say that I haven't been put in that situation since that time. And now if I were, I would know that I could speak up and that I wouldn't have to take it. So I have confidence that you might not have to experience what you have already experienced. However, I don't want to be overly confident, so I also want to say that you have to be prepared for it.

There are several organizations that are working to both help women who have been or are being sexually harassed and provide resources to ensure that women and men aren't sexually harassed in the first place. These groups include - 9to5 - The National Association for Working Women and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - a government organization responsible for monitoring sexual harassment.

I hope that helps.

Amy