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Proving Welcomeness: The Admissibility Of Evidence Of Sexual History In Sexual Harassment Claims Under The 1994 Amendments To Federal Rule Of Evidence 412, Paul N. Monnin

Vanderbilt Law Review

In contemporary sexual harassment litigation, this statement reflects a prevailing defense tactic. To establish a prima facie case of sexual harassment, plaintiffs must affirmatively demonstrate that they were subject to "unwelcome" sexual advances. Defense lawyers utilize this standard to discover and admit evidence of the victim's prior sexual behavior to show invitation to or provocation of the alleged misconduct. While such practices may seem repugnant, their purpose is readily discernible. By disclosing the intimate details of plaintiffs' sex lives, defense lawyers, with the sanction of sexual harassment law, force claimants to think twice about continuing their claims. Potential plaintiffs might …