Ann Friedman says that while they might not think of it as sexual harassment, what men say to other men when women’s backs are turned is damaging, too:
I can cite a dozen examples in my corner of the professional world alone. Lecherous men in this business don’t tend to hit on or harass women directly. Instead, they bond with other men in the profession by talking about women behind their backs — wink-nudging male co-workers about the appearances, behavior, and perceived intentions of their female peers. (Women do this, too, although — in my experience — to a far lesser degree.) Often these are men who would never dream of groping, making unwanted advances, bestowing inappropriate nicknames on their female co-workers, but behind-their-back comments are also intimidation and bullying of a sexual nature.
