Which statement best describes Third Party Harassment?

• A. Harassment that affects parties who are not the direct targets
• B. Harassment that involves only online comments
• C. Harassment that the target initiates
• D. Harassment that is a single incident

Answer: (A)

Third-party harassment refers to the harm that harassment causes to people who aren’t the direct target. It recognizes that the impact can ripple through a setting—affecting bystanders, coworkers, or others who witness or are otherwise affected by the behavior—even if they aren’t the one being targeted. This broader harm is why policies address third-party harassment: to protect everyone in the environment and maintain a respectful, safe space. It isn’t limited to online interactions, it isn’t defined by who starts it, and it isn’t limited to a single incident—repeated or pervasive conduct that creates a hostile environment for others fits this idea.