When someone is confronted with an accusation of harassment, it is quite natural for that individual to feel threatened or to react defensively. In such situations, an individual should be encouraged to:
- Remain calm and allow the other person to air their concerns
- Avoid using language that appears to ignore or dismiss the complaint
- Listen to the person's concerns without interruption
- Respond to the other person's concerns without blame
- Apologize for and stop the behaviour if it is appropriate to do so
- If it is not appropriate to apologize, refrain from elaborate explanations or justifications
- Keep a written record if you have concerns about the allegation