Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Practice Test

What term is used to describe coercive or repeated unwelcome comments or gestures?

1. Assault

2. Harassment

3. Battery

4. Defamation

The correct answer is: Harassment

The term that describes coercive or repeated unwelcome comments or gestures is harassment. Harassment involves any behavior intended to disturb or upset someone and often includes behavior that is threatening or inappropriate, creating a hostile or uncomfortable environment for the victim. This can manifest through persistent unwanted communication, offensive remarks, or other forms of unwanted attention. Understanding harassment is crucial as it encompasses various forms of mistreatment that can affect an individual's well-being and sense of safety. It’s important to recognize that harassment is not limited to physical actions but includes verbal and non-verbal communications as well. In contrast, assault refers to the act of making someone fear for their safety through threats or the intention to cause harm. Battery involves the actual physical contact or harm to another person. Defamation relates to damaging someone's reputation through false statements, either spoken (slander) or written (libel). Each of these terms defines different aspects of harmful behavior, but harassment specifically addresses the repeated and unwanted nature of comments or gestures.