Extent Of Sexual Harassment Research Articles

Peer Sexual Harassment in Zimbabwe State Universities: A Qualitative Exploratory Study

The study aimed at exploring and understanding undergraduate female students’ experiences of sexual harassment by male peers on and around university campuses. The hegemonic masculinity perspective and the socio-cultural model combined to inform the study. The population of the study consisted of a purposive sample of 20 female undergraduate students in two state universities. Qualitative in-depth interviews were done to obtain understanding of how peer sexual harassment was experienced by undergraduate female students. Data was collected through one-on-one audio recorded semi-structured interviews. Analysis of data was conducted using a narrative approach. Peer sexual harassment, perpetrated by male students, was a reality in the lives of female undergraduate students. Female students were raped. Sexual intercourse was taking place in the presence of female roommates. Videotaping of sexual encounters occurred without the knowledge of female partners. Sexual harassment of female students took place after female students had taken spiked drinks and drugged biscuits during welcome bashes. Unwanted, unwelcome and inappropriate touching of buttocks, breasts, thighs and in between the legs was experienced by female students. Unwanted kissing of female students was taking place. Verbal remarks of a sexual nature were directed at female students. The need for universities to invest their efforts in addressing the problem of peer sexual harassment cannot be over emphasized. Despite the fact that sexual harassment of female undergraduate students was taking place at the two state universities, victims seldom reported. Undergraduate female students need to be empowered to become more aware of the nature and extent of sexual harassment. A decrease in peer sexual harassment incidences is realizable if universities improve aspects of their climate and culture. The need for counselling to mitigate the negative impact of peer sexual harassment cannot be over emphasized.

Us, Too. Sexual Harassment Within Academic Medicine in the United States

PurposeWe report on the extent of sexual harassment among residents and examine its relationship to specialty and program year and effects. MethodsUsing the C–Change Resident Survey, we surveyed residents in 34 internal medicine, pediatrics, and general surgery programs in 14 academic medical centers (AMCs). A total of 1708 residents completed the survey (70% response-rate); 51% (n = 879) were women. Respondents reported unwanted sexual comments, attention, or advances by a superior or colleagues within the last 2 years. Measures of vitality and ethical or moral distress were included in the surveys. ResultsRates of sexual harassment reported by women differed across the 34 programs, with an interquartile range of 0%-11%. Residents in pediatrics had the lowest frequencies of sexual harassment (mean 2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0%, 4%). Residents in internal medicine had higher rates of sexual harassment (mean 7%, 95% CI 1%, 25%). Residents in surgery had the highest rates (mean 12%, 95% CI 2%, 33%). Sexual harassment was associated with lower levels of vitality and higher ethical or moral distress (both, P <0.05). ConclusionsSexual harassment is more common for women residents in Internal Medicine and Surgery programs. The adverse effects of sexual harassment on female residents detracts from an institution’s professional workforce.

Study thyself: Political scientists assess extent of sexual harassment at their annual meeting

Study thyself: Political scientists assess extent of sexual harassment at their annual meeting

Sexual harassment of female students in three selected high schools in urban Masvingo, Zimbabwe

abstract This study sought to establish the nature and extent of sexual harassment of female students in coeducational high schools in urban Masvingo, Zimbabwe. The survey design, incorporating questionnaires and interviews, was adopted, and a purposefully selected sample of 60 female peer educators (students) and 9 school counsellors (teachers) participated. Data were analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The study revealed that sexual harassment of female students was rampant in schools, where they experienced mostly physical, verbal and sexual harassment perpetrated mostly by males (teachers and students). The study also revealed that sexual harassment was viewed in terms of victim-initiated, perpetrator-related and mystical factors. It also emerged that often the sexually harassed female students do not report the abuse, mainly due to social factors. Recommendations are made to alleviate sexual harassment.

Dealing with sexual harassment at institutions of higher learning: Policy implementation at a South African university

In the past two decades universities in South Africa have started to develop and implement sexual harassment policies to protect their staff and students against this type of harassment. The article first looks at the negative impact of sexual harassment on students from a health, psychological and academic perspective.The focus then shifts to policy implementation. While policy development has been relatively successful it is unclear if the implementation of sexual harassment policies is succeeding. It is also unclear what successful policy implementation around sexual harassment looks like. A gap often exists between policy-making and policy implementation. This is a multi-dimensional problem varying from the way the policy was formulated to issues of perceptions of the policy and a lack of institutional support. The article explores notions of what policy impact may mean and then report on the findings of a case study of policy implementation at a tertiary institution in South Africa, as one of three case studies done on the implementation of sexual harassment in tertiary education institutions. The study uses quantitative and qualitative methodology such as a small survey as well as focus groups. The findings show that policy implementation is problematic with the biggest problem being a lack of co-ordination between the major stakeholders where cases can be reported. One of the consequences of this lack of co-ordination is that the university's management has no clear understanding of the nature and extent of sexual harassment on the campus, leading them to think that sexual harassment does not occur, while those whom the policy is supposed to protect lose faith in the policy and grievance procedure. To conclude recommendations are made to deal with some of the existing problems.

Sexual harassment and violence in South African schools

After1994 several pieces of legislation were passed in South Africa to ensure equity in education and equal opportunities for all learners. Some shocking reports have indicated that sexual harassment of girls is a serious problem in many of our schools. These girls are denied equal opportunities and effective education in schools as they are subject to pestering by educators and boys. In addition, they are harassed by the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy and emotional pressure, and they are denied their self-respect. The purpose in this article was to determine the nature and extent of sexual harassment and violence in South African schools and to establish how the rights of female learners to equal opportunities and equal treatment could be promoted and protected. South African Journal of Education Vol. 26(2) 2006: 305–318

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace in Relation to EC Legislation

The first part of the article is an outline of the nature of sexual harassment, its extent and the growing awareness of it. The second part considers why there was a need for a community initiative and looks at the extent of sexual harassment in the Member States, the consequences of sexual harassment, legal remedies and the impact it has on the community's principles, including health and safety at the workplace and the competitiveness of undertakings. The third part describes various legal instruments in the EC. The fourth part analyses the European Commission Recommendation and Code of Practice on Sexual Harassment. This section also looks at the status of the Code and why some kinds of sexual harassment are excluded from legal remedy by having sexual harassment related to the Equal Treatment Directive. Some comparisons are made between UK and US case law in this context. The fifth part concerns recommendations.

“HEY, WHY DON'T YOU WEAR A SHORTER SKIRT?”

Research on sexual harassment in the workplace has followed several trajectories: the extent of sexual harassment, labeling sexual harassment, responses to sexual harassment, and contributing factors to sexual harassment. Much of this research has been necessarily applied, leaving theoretical frameworks concerning sexual harassment underdeveloped. This research uses the case of the sexual harassment of temporary workers to develop grounded theory to provide a more structural understanding of sexual harassment. While temporary employment has increased dramatically in the past 15 years, researchers have only recently begun to document the effects of this trend. This research is based on 68 in-depth interviews from two broader studies on clerical temporary work in Chicago and Los Angeles. The researchers find that the organization of temporary work fosters sexual harassment through the magnification of asymmetrical power relationships.

An Occupational Hazard Warning: academic life can seriously damage your health. An investigation of sexual harassment of women academics in a UK university

The pervasiveness of sexual harassment in US academic institutions is widely documented. However, little is known, and little has been written about the extent of sexual harassment in UK universities. The study reported here investigates this issue through a qualitative survey of women academics in a UK university using intensive interviews. It analyses these women's perceptions and experiences of sexual harassment, from both colleagues and students. The findings are conceptualised using a recent comprehensive categorisation of types of harassment by Gruber (1992). It raises important questions about the possible under‐reporting and underestimation of the incidence of sexual harassment and its effect on professional women.

Extent and Nature of Sexual Harassment in the Fashion Retail Workplace

Sexual harassment is a pervasive and costly problem in the workplace. Various researchers are pursuing issues associated with occupational self‐analysis as a step toward understanding and eliminating sexual harassment. Individuals most likely to be sexually harassed are young, unmarried females—a description that coincides with a description of clothing and textiles students in that most share similar characteristics. This study was designed to clarify the nature and extent of sexual harassment in the fashion retail workplace from the perspective of a group of clothing and textiles students. The study used the Sexual Experiences Questionnaire (SEQ2) and the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board Survey, both designed to measure sexual harassment in the workplace. Data were collected in university classroom settings from students enrolled in clothing and textiles classes during spring semester, 1992 (N = 132). Although 97 students had experienced sexually harassing behaviors, only 41 labeled the behaviors as sexual harassment. The most frequently reported situations involved gender harassment and seductive behavior. Such behaviors constitute “condition of work” harassment and create an offensive work environment. Methods of coping with the behavior were to ignore it, avoid the perpetrator, or ask the person to stop. No respondent had filed formal complaint, grievance, or lawsuit. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that students receive training on all aspects of sexual harassment so that they will be prepared to recognize and cope with it if it occurs.

Sexual Harassment in the Hotel Industry: The Need to Focus on Prevention

Although the extent of sexual harassment in the hotel industry is not fully known, recent research indicates that hotel employees experience more sexual harassment than do workers in society-at-large and that most of the harassment is perpetrated by co-workers. The author observes that the harm wrought by sexual harassment is high both in human terms and in total dollars lost and that employers' legal protection against liability is uncertain at best. She, therefore, suggests (1) that management's focus should be on prevention rather than on avoidance of law suits and (2) that educators in hospitality programs have a responsibility to challenge both students and industry representatives to discard sexual stereotypes and be steadfastly intolerant of sexual harassment.