Finding yourself the target of a creepy colleague can leave lasting emotional and financial damage. Aside from the awkwardness and distractions and drama that come along with having to face that challenge daily, it can snowball into utter chaos when the victim is no longer able to perform in the workplace environment.

I had my early twenties decimated by two sloppily run businesses. In the first scenario it was the business owner who pressured me (a lowly greeter) into an abusive long term affair. When I finally couldn't take anymore and fled my job, I unfortunately replaced it with an equally awful predicament. This time coworkers of similar seniority did things like help themselves to my cellphone to get contact info for my "hot sister" who I had pictures of on my desk. Made flirtatious and obscene comments and gestures towards me and one another regularly. Used derogatory gender based profanity in the office. Used workplace computers to seek out, store and display pornographic and offensive materials. And ultimately I was groped in the office by the individual who would proceed to lay me off the following day.

I ended up settling after a two year battle with the second company. The first guy I never sued, although I regret that often. If I had a time machine, that would be one of my first stops. I should also mention the guy in story number 1 was sued by someone else (prior to his advances towards me) and I was interviewed for that case too. I guess I've spent a lot of time learning about these issues.

I cannot suggest strongly enough maintaining some sort of no fraternization policy. (I know this isn't relevant here but alcohol especially. Never the open bar for work functions. Never. Bah humbug) Humans are emotional creatures before they're workers. Which means when they're besties and/or lovebirds, whatever happens outside the office is almost certain to carry over into the office someway somehow. All the characters in my stories were getting paid a wage for their behaviors, which were a far cry from accomplishing the mission statement of the business. A socially liberal workplace environment bleeds money due to missed productivity and distraction. It just does.

In my experiences, it's normal for up to ten employees to be summoned for questioning by lawyers about the conduct of the parties at play as well as workplace conduct standards. I had multiple mediations, overseen by a magistrate, which led to a settlement agreement. I was able to provide far less conclusive evidence than what your girl seems to be able to and still had a larger financial settlement outcome. They also had to implement a sensitivity training course for all employees. And yes they did everything they could to disparage my work ethic through the process. What they weren't prepared for were the reference letters I solicited from sympathetic coworkers upon layoff, which fully negated their claims against my character. They also weren't prepared for the examples of poor judgement and misconduct I was able to pull from social media accounts. Much of my evidence was Facebook based and not in office. That was sufficiently damning.

Everyone here is right. Lawyer up immediately. Her lawyer doesn't have to be brilliant. Mine was well respected and competent but I was a terrified and piss poor millennial fighting a large company run by a very rich and powerful man. Their lawyer's office was much flashier than mine, and that didn't help them. The law is the law. There are reasons why it's legally consequential. Facing uncomfortable advances daily and having money for rent are not things that should have to be weighed out in a woman's mind.

I went on to purchase a business of my own with the settlement money. I've learned through my own entrepreneurial experiences that sometimes you just have to get your hands dirty learning. Best of luck.