Legal Question in Sexual Harassment in Michigan

i have been sexually harassed by an older man in the community where i live. i am now 18 and he has been harassing me since i was 13. when i was 14 he grabbed my waist, i told him to never touch me again, and he immediately grabbed my waist again. this happened again at my house a couple years later. since, he has not touched me, but he leers at me and tells me i'm pretty, beautiful, etc. EVERY time he talks to me, and recently, he said "if i was a lot younger and not married", didn't finish the 'if, then' statement, but rather cleared his throat and told me again that i was 'very beautiful.' he always says these things while at church, so i never feel comfortable telling him off and making a scene, as i am a well liked young person at my church (of over 500 people, the vast majority know who I am). considering his recent comment about being 'a lot younger, and not married', can i legally link it to his previous conduct when i was 14? or can i now only press charges on his recent comments because of some time limit? also, i can't fathom leaving the church, and as he is not staff, i don't hold the church responsible in any way, but i would like to know, if i were to get a restraining order, is it possible that i may be asked to leave the church by the authorities so that he may attend?


Asked on 9/30/09, 4:01 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Timothy Klisz Klisz Law Office, PLLC

Sexual harrasment is only a case for employees who are harrassed at work. If he inappropriately touched you, this would be a criminal matter, but if it happened years ago, I doubt the police would take it seriously. a PPO may stop him if it is issued, but you also have a potential stalking criminal case if you tell him to stop doing what he is doing, and he keeps on. Good luck. www.kliszlaw.com Tim Klisz

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Answered on 10/05/09, 4:16 pm
William Morrison Action Defense Center

Offensive conduct is not always unlawful. In the United States we are free to annoy, offend, irritate, anger, insult, and discomfort others as long as we don't break the law. The conduct you describe is legal.

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Answered on 10/05/09, 7:54 pm


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