SHANGHAI - Shanghai's city council has enacted China's first local law clearly defining sexual harassment and allowing victims to sue, state media said Friday.

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The measure says harassment can include abuse conveyed verbally, in writing, or by pictures or cell phone text messaging, as well as actual physical contact, according to local newspapers and the Xinhua News Agency.

"Women victims have the right to complain to their employer or relevant departments. Relevant departments and employers must take necessary measures to prevent and stop sexual harassment toward women," Xinhua quoted the measure as saying.

The statute elaborates on vague language included in a law on the protection of women's rights passed by the national legislature in 2005. The lack of a clear definition of harassment had made it extremely difficult to pursue cases.

The measure also bans employers from barring female employees from getting married or becoming pregnant.