Federal and state laws exist protecting victims of harassment, outlining what practices are prohibited, and imposing penalties for violation of those laws. Workplace harassment, which includes sexual harassment, is prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which forbids employers with 15 or more employees from discriminating on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, or national origin. The law applies to federal, state, and local employers and governs all employment actions. Laws regarding workplace harassment are enforced by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
In addition, the green states shown on the map have their own state laws specifically addressing sexual harassment prevention training for employees, managers, supervisors, contract workers, and volunteers.