To meet the criteria for sexual harassment, what must conduct be motivated by?

The correct answer is that the conduct must be motivated by sexual desire. Sexual harassment involves unwelcome sexual advances or conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile or intimidating environment. This behavior is fundamentally linked to sexual desire, as the actions that constitute harassment are typically driven by a person's intentions to engage in a sexual manner with another individual.

Understanding that the motivation stems from sexual desire is crucial because it distinguishes sexual harassment from other types of misconduct. For instance, professional concern, misunderstanding, or personal grievances do not inherently pertain to the sexual nature of the conduct and thus would not meet the criteria for sexual harassment in this context. The focus on sexual desire underscores the importance of recognizing the intentions behind certain actions and helps in identifying inappropriate behavior that violates workplace or educational standards.