It started off as a draft law to protect women, but mainland legislators soon realised that they needed to safeguard men from harassment if they want to uphold the rights of the married female. Luo Yifeng, of the National People's Congress, has proposed a new clause for the sexual harassment legislation being scrutinised by the top legislature which would outlaw harassment of men. Mr Luo said his proposal stemmed from complaints that many men were pestered with phone calls from massage girls offering 'special services' after they checked into hotel rooms. He said men had also complained about being propositioned by prostitutes in public places or even by female colleagues at work. 'I suggested adding 'women should not sexually harass men too' after the phrase 'men shouldn't sexually harass women',' Mr Luo said yesterday. He said he had decided to include protection for men under a 'women's law' because doing so was in the interests of women too. 'Sexual harassment might break a marriage. It makes the spouses of men suffer too.' Mr Luo has also recommended the draft law incorporate elements of European and US laws against sexual harassment in order to strengthen its protection of the rights of both sexes. In particular, he suggests that, in the event of sexual harassment at work, an employer and the alleged perpetrator be held equally liable. Tiger Hu, a frequent traveller to the mainland, said it was necessary to legislate against sexual harassment of men. 'It is very common to receive calls for 'special services' in hotels. I even receive some seductive 'missing you' calls from some strange girls when I am in my office.' Mr Hu said sexual harassment was particularly serious in offices because there was no awareness of the problem.
