Sexual Harassment an Assertion of Dominance or Sexual Desire.

Sexual harassment is often misunderstood as a result of sexual desire or attraction. However, research across organizational studies, sociology, psychology, and feminist theory shows that harassment primarily functions as a mechanism of power, dominance, and social control. This paper critically examines sexual harassment by integrating literature on power hierarchies, hostile sexism, evolutionary misinterpretations, personality pathology, and institutional structures. The study argues that harassment is better understood as a strategic assertion of dominance rather than a biologically driven sexual act. It contrasts naturalistic explanations with psychopathological tendencies and organizational dynamics, concluding that effective prevention requires structural and cultural transformation rather than moral appeals to sexual restraint. This research contributes to understanding gendered behavior, campus safety, and institutional accountability in higher education.