Sexual Harassment in Public Spaces

Abstract

In this article, we examine the situational conditions of female sexual victimization in public spaces. Using survey questionnaire methodology, we explore gender differences in perceptions of the occurrence and location of sexual harassment in public spaces as well as the extent to which such behaviors are considered serious. The study’s methodology relies on using multistage cluster and quota sampling technique, where we interviewed nearly 1,387 respondents (both men and women) from the capital city of India, New Delhi. This study finds an overall congruence between perceived likelihood of female sexual harassment victimization and actual self-reported victimization in most public transportation modes, but there is a significant gap between these two indicators for occurrences that take place in certain transportation modes, such as taxis and auto-rickshaws. There are statistically significant gender differences in the seriousness ratings of various behaviors that constitute sexual harassment to women. Policy implications include adoption of a zero-tolerance policy toward any form of sexual harassment in public spaces.