Recent research from the United States has found that sexual harassment in the workplace is a pervasive, chronic problem that can cause enduring psychological harm.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), research has shown that sexual harassment is primarily aimed at women, but men are also targets of such behaviour. Perpetrators of sexual harassment in the workplace are not only supervisors/superiors but are also co-workers, subordinates, customers and clients.
Women tend to report more adverse effects than men after experiencing workplace sexual harassment, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, post-traumatic stress and a lower level of overall happiness.
Organisational climate is a strong predictor of workplace sexual harassment and can include situations where men outnumber women, where supervisors are predominantly male, and where there is a sense among employees that complaints will not be taken seriously. Research has shown that hierarchical power dynamics are at the root of sexual harassment, says the APA.
“Psychology can help, in the form of sexual harassment training, but it only works if it is part of a comprehensive, committed effort to combat the problem,” said APA President Antonio E. Puente, PhD. “Most research points to sanctions as the primary way that organisations can be less tolerant of harassment.
“Organisations need to be proactive in establishing policies prohibiting sexual harassment, raising employee awareness, establishing reporting procedures and educating employees about these policies,” he added. “More research is needed to identify the antecedents to harassment that will help employees and managers identify and respond appropriately.”
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