Legal Definitions - quid pro quo

Quid pro quo is a Latin term that means "this for that" or "in exchange for." In the context of sex discrimination, quid pro quo is a type of sexual harassment under Title IX. It occurs when a person in a position of power demands sexual favors from a subordinate in exchange for a job benefit or to avoid a job detriment.

For example, if a supervisor tells an employee that they will only receive a promotion if they engage in sexual activity with them, that is quid pro quo sexual harassment. Another example is if a professor threatens to fail a student unless they engage in sexual activity with them.

Quid pro quo can also refer to bribery. In this context, it means the exchange of something of value for a specific action or decision. For example, if a politician accepts a large campaign donation in exchange for voting a certain way on a bill, that is quid pro quo bribery.

It's important to note that quid pro quo is illegal and unethical in both sexual harassment and bribery contexts. It involves the abuse of power and can have serious consequences for both the victim and the perpetrator.