Identifying Risk Factors of Gender-Based Harassment

Abstract

ABSTRACT Gender-based harassment is a common and damaging form of gender-based violence that encompasses a wide range of behaviors (e.g. cat calling, using sexist language, using homophobic slurs, etc.). Despite its negative impact on victim-survivors, very few studies have identified risk factors associated with the perpetration of gender-based harassment. In the current study, we examined whether well-established risk factors for in-person sexual offending were also predictive of gender-based harassment behaviors. Participants (N = 1,200) were recruited via Qualtrics’ research panels and completed measures assessing potential risk factors (i.e. younger age, sexual deviancy, general antisociality) and whether they had perpetrated gender-based harassment in the preceding twelve months. Overall, 14.0% of the sample reported perpetrating gender-based harassment. All factors independently predicted harassment perpetration. When considered within a multivariate model, being a man, being younger in age, and scoring higher on hypersexuality and anger were significantly predictive of gender-based harassment when controlling for all other variables. Results suggest that established risk factors for in-person sexual offending, including elements of sexual deviancy and general antisociality, might also be important in predicting the perpetration of gender-based harassment, and may therefore serve as potential treatment targets.