Final answer:
The inappropriate behaviors described are examples of sexual harassment, a form of misconduct that is illegal in employment and educational settings and can cause psychological and emotional harm to victims.
Step-by-step explanation:
The behavior described in the question - unnecessary touching or petting, suggestive remarks, and leering at a person's body - constitutes sexual harassment. Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that affects an individual's employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.
In the workplace and educational settings, sexual harassment is illegal and prohibited by laws such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX for federally funded colleges and universities. Various forms of this harassment, such as quid pro quo and creation of a hostile work environment, can cause both psychological and emotional harm to individuals.