Sexual Harassment Research Articles

Women physicians’ experiences in the workplace in Lebanon: a qualitative study

BackgroundOver the past several decades, the number of female physicians entering the medical and healthcare workplace has increased. Despite their skills and qualifications, they face several challenges in their career including gender discrimination, work-life balance, sexual harassment, limited career advancement opportunities, and burnout. The purpose of this study is to assess perceived challenges encountered by women physicians in the workplace and identify coping strategies to overcome these challenges and achieve professional success.MethodsA qualitative research design with an inductive approach was used to collect the data from female physicians’ experiences at their workplace between July and December 2023 through a semi-structured one-on-one interview with open-ended questions. Purposive and snowball techniques were used to recruit female physicians working in private and/or public Lebanese hospitals. The interviews were conducted in Arabic, recorded, transcribed, and translated into English. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data.ResultsA total of 12 women physicians participated in the interviews. The analysis identified three main themes: (1) personal challenges faced by women in medicine, (2) institutional challenges faced by women in medicine, and (3) Solutions for issues faced by women in medicine.ConclusionsParticipants highlighted personal challenges such as work-life balance, and burnout, as well as institutional obstacles like gender discrimination, limited career advancement opportunities, and sexual harassment. By uncovering these barriers this research provides a critical foundation for the development of targeted policies and interventions aimed at fostering a more equitable and supportive environment for women in the medical profession.

Effectiveness of an empowerment-based self-defense program among South African girls: results from a cluster-randomized control trial in schools

Empowerment-based self-defense (ESD) programs have proven effective in preventing sexual violence (SV) among girls in diverse settings, yet their effectiveness in South Africa remains unexplored. In this hybrid type 1 cluster-randomized controlled trial, we assessed the impact and implementation of the COVID-adapted ‘No Means No’ intervention, an ESD program to prevent SV among girls aged 10–19 in Gqeberha, South Africa. Fifteen schools were randomly assigned to one of three trial arms: an arm receiving intervention delivered to girls-only, one receiving interventions delivered to girls and boys seperately, or to serve as controls in a 1:1:1 ratio. Surveys were conducted at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary outcome was past-year SV exposure among girls, including harassment or rape. Generlized Estimating Equation models compared the two intervention arms to the control, and each intervention arm to the control. Implementation data consisted of intervention attendence logs, quarterly implementation reports, and in-depth interviews with school stakeholders. We enrolled 1,540 from 14 schools, of whom 1,250 provided primary outcome data. The average age was 13 years and 83% identified as Black. At baseline, 35% of girls reported past-year SV, and 33% did during follow-up. The intervention did not significantly reduce SV compared to the control (adjRR 1.24, 95% CI 0.96, 1.69; p = 0.08). Exploratory analyses examined the effects on secondary outcomes (rape, offline, and online sexual harassment), and on intermediate outcomes (e.g., knowledge and attitudes) with only knowledge of self-defense differing between intervention and control (coefficient 0.42, 95% CI 0.16, 0.68; p = 0.007). Implementation data revealed barriers to implementing in schools post-COVID, including limitations on alloted time and lack of whole-school buy-in. Improved school awareness, willingness to disclose violence, and reductions in bullying were described as impacts of the intervention by stakeholders. While the lack of reduction in SV may point towards areas for improvement, numerous contextual and implementation factors may also have influenced results. Future trials should utilize implementation science methods to improve delivery and rigorously evaluate ESD interventions’ impact on disclosure, acknowledging the complexity of assessing their effects on various facets of SV. The trial was registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05295342).

Review recent rulings involving sexual harassment

Review recent rulings involving sexual harassment

Sexual harassment of undergraduate female pharmacy students in Nigeria; prevalence, experiences and perception: a cross-sectional study

Sexual harassment of undergraduate female pharmacy students in Nigeria; prevalence, experiences and perception: a cross-sectional study

A Mediated Model of Female Navy Personnel’s Personality Traits, Sexism, and Bystander Attitude Toward Sexual Harassment in Taiwan

A Mediated Model of Female Navy Personnel’s Personality Traits, Sexism, and Bystander Attitude Toward Sexual Harassment in Taiwan

Navigating emotions and resilience: Women’s battle against sexual harassment in public spaces in Nepal

This study explores sexual harassment experienced by women in the public spaces of Kathmandu, Nepal, with a focus on their emotional responses and the mediating resources they employ to cope with such experiences. Theoretically, the study draws on the sensibilities of emotions that result from violence by examining the women’s understanding to perceive, interpret, and respond to emotions in a manner that helps them manage their presence in public spaces. Data were collected from semi-structured individual and group interviews with women who frequently used public spaces. Adopting a constructivist approach, the findings discuss three sub-themes: (1) the emotional impacts of sexual harassment, encompassing a wide range of emotions among respondents; (2) responses to these emotions and incidents through freeze, flight, and fight mechanisms; and (3) the coping strategies and social support mechanisms utilized to deal with the situation. This research significantly contributes to our understanding of the convergence of the sociology of emotions with gender-based violence, with specific attention to sensibilities, in rapidly transforming societies.

Gender justice and social inclusion of female learners with dwarfism: A case study in Bindura District, Zimbabwe

This study explored social exclusion challenges experienced by female secondary school learners with dwarfism in Bindura district, Mashonaland Central province, Zimbabwe. The qualitative study used a case study research design. The study's participants were two learners with dwarfism, two administrators, four teachers, and 12 learners (who are not dwarves but attend classes with the learners with dwarfism). The participants were purposively selected because of their experiences with the phenomenon under study. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Findings revealed that learners with dwarfism have problems that begin as a result of their small stature, socially constructed as a disability by society. Other challenges include inappropriate infrastructure and furniture, stigmatization, and segregation in sporting activities. However, female learners with dwarfism face peculiar challenges because of their gender. These challenges include sexual harassment and the burden of stereotyped feminine chores in the school. The findings revealed that gender and disability remain exclusionary, and oppressive systems that affect the schooling experiences of female learners with dwarfism disproportionately. The study recommends that schools adopt an inclusive education policy that addresses issues of exclusion based on gender and disability.

Military sexual trauma and mental health counseling: Effects on resilience over time among recent-era U.S. veterans.

Military sexual trauma (MST) is prevalent and causes numerous deleterious effects on survivors. This study investigated the association between mental health counseling (MHC) and resilience among a large cohort of U.S. veterans who served in support of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Data were collected over 6.5 years (Wave 1: n=9,566, Wave 8: n=2,970). Female veterans who experienced sexual harassment, β=-.12, and both sexual harassment and unwanted sexual contact, β=-.21, had lower baseline resilience scores. For male veterans, sexual harassment, β=-.08; unwanted sexual contact, β=-.09; and both sexual harassment and unwanted sexual contact, β=-.12, were related to lower baseline resilience scores. For both female, β=-.46, and male veterans, β=-.57, MHC was negatively associated with baseline resilience; however, MHC was positively associated with resilience scores over time for female, β=.17, and male veterans, β=.29. In the full mediation models tested, MHC mediated the path between all types of MST and resilience among male and female veterans. The findings suggest that engaging in MHC during the transition from active duty to civilian life may effectively increase resilience for veteran survivors of MST.

Exploring the Psychosocial Impacts on Childless Couples Undergoing In Vitro Fertilisation Treatment in Malaysia: A Qualitative Study

Objective: Infertility impacts the lives of childless couples through many different aspects, such as physical, emotional, financial, sexual, marital, and social relationships. This study aimed to explore the psychological and social impacts on childless couples undergoing In Vitro Fertilisation treatment (IVF) in Malaysia. Material and Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 8 childless couples affected by primary infertility. The participants were purposefully selected from 3 reproductive clinics in Malaysia from January to April 2023. Each interview was audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: There were 8 subthemes for the psychological impacts: impaired concentration, feeling guilty, negative self-perception, hopefulness, feelings of failure, stress, anxiety, and depression. There were 7 subthemes under social impacts: sexual harassment in the workplace, self-isolation, social withdrawal, stigmatization, low self-esteem, loneliness, and lack of support. Conclusion: Additional efforts are needed to improve support in the IVF journey, especially among nurses, who need to ensure that childless couples have a healthy mentally and are adequately prepared to receive infertility treatment.

Penegakan Hukum Terhadap Tindak Pelecehan Seksual Catcalling Dalam Perspektif Hukum Pidana Indonesia

Verbal sexual harassment, including catcalling, is an act that often occurs but is considered trivial or even normalized in society. This study aims to examine the legal regulation of catcalling in Indonesian laws and regulations as well as to find out its law enforcement in the perspective of criminal law. Using a normative juridical approach, this research analyses relevant legal regulations, such as the Law on Sexual Violence (UU TPKS), the Criminal Code (KUHP), and other related regulations. The research findings show that catcalling is an act that violates human rights and norms of decency and has been regulated in various regulations in Indonesia, including the 1945 Constitution, the Criminal Code, the Pornography Law, and the TPKS Law. Although the term catcalling is not explicitly mentioned in these regulations, this act has fulfilled the elements of a criminal offense of decency, non-physical sexual harassment, and violation of individuals rights. Despite this regulation, law enforcement is still constrained by a number of factors, including the lack of public awareness of the seriousness of this act, cultural barriers, and limitations in the law enforcement system. In addition, conflict resolution through a restorative justice approach is often applied, which although providing a peaceful solution, is considered to have less of a deterrent effect on perpetrators.

Longitudinal Comorbidity of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms: The Risk of Cyber Sexual Harassment.

Prior literature has suggested that the comorbidity of anxiety and depressive symptoms is often high and common among adolescents and has indicated low, moderate, and high developmental classes. However, there are measurement and theoretical limitations in the literature. Thus, the purpose of the current study is to utilize the correlated liability model of psychopathology to address these limitations: (1) estimating longitudinal classes of the co-occurrence of anxiety and depressive symptoms; (2) exploring whether baseline experience of cyber sexual harassment predicts each class (n = 3064). Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) results identified four longitudinal classes of the comorbidity of anxiety and depressive symptoms (e.g., Declining, Low, Moderate, and High Chronic). Multinominal logistic regression results indicated that experiencing cyber sexual harassment at baseline was associated with a lower risk of assignment to the Moderate and Low groups relative to the High Chronic group. These results suggest that adolescents who were sexually harassed online were more likely to report high and chronic comorbidity of anxiety and depressive symptoms over time. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.

Sexual Harassment in Institutions of Higher Education: Some Critical Insights Based on the Case of Portugal

Sexual Harassment in Institutions of Higher Education: Some Critical Insights Based on the Case of Portugal

Beyond human drivers: understanding female tourists’ acceptance of autonomous vehicles in tourism

ABSTRACT Artificial intelligence is transforming urban mobility through autonomous vehicle (AV) ride-hailing services, yet consumer acceptance remains underexplored, particularly among female tourists who may benefit from reduced gender-based harassment risks. Drawing on cognitive appraisal theory, this study examines factors influencing female tourists’ continued AV usage and word-of-mouth (WOM) intentions. Surveying 309 female tourists in China, results reveal that performance expectancy and facilitating conditions directly and indirectly influence service adoption and WOM behavior. Sexual harassment reduction and perceived risk significantly shape female tourists’ decisions through trust. These findings advance research on gender-specific innovative technology acceptance and provide insights for destination management.

Profiles of Adolescent Cyberbullying Victimization and Effect of Traditional School Bullying: A Latent Profile Analysis

ABSTRACT Cyberbullying among middle school students is a growing concern. This study analyzes a nationally representative dataset from the Survey on the Rights of Children and Youths to identify effective interventions. Using a three-step approach, it categorizes cyberbullying victimization through latent profile analysis, examining school bullying as a predictor and life satisfaction and suicidal ideation as outcomes. The influence of predictor variables was analyzed using multinomial logit coefficients, while outcome variable differences were assessed via chi-square values. Four victim profiles emerged: high-level (2.2%), medium-level (4.1%), sexual harassment-oriented (4.3%), and low-level (89.5%). Extortion, intimidation, and sexual harassment influenced these classifications. Notably, “sexual harassment-oriented victims” exhibited significantly higher suicidal ideation and lower life satisfaction. Findings highlight the link between real-world bullying and cyberbullying and emphasize targeted intervention for high-risk victims. The study underscores the need for support tailored to specific victim experiences and further investigation into bullying’s transition from offline to online spaces.

Factors associated with psychological distress among sexuality and/or gender diverse university students at an Australian university: A cross-sectional study

ObjectivesWhile mental ill-health — such as psychological distress — is prevalent among university students, less is known about sexuality and/or gender diverse university students’ mental health. This study aimed to determine whether sociodemographic factors, basic needs security, resilience, and health-related behaviours were associated with psychological distress among a sample of sexuality and/or gender diverse students at an Australian university. MethodsThis study involved a quantitative cross-sectional subgroup analysis of eligible student responses to a larger institutional survey at an Australian university. A multiple linear regression analysis assessed sociodemographic factors (age and gender identity), basic needs security (financial stress, food security and experience of sexual assault and/or sexual harassment during time at university), resilience (specifically ‘bounce back’ resilience), and health-related behaviours (alcohol use, other drugs use, physical activity, and sleep duration), with psychological distress as the outcome of interest. ResultsAnalysis of 411 sexuality and/or gender diverse students’ responses yielded significant results (F [6,387] = 50.493, p < .001) explaining over 40% of the variance in psychological distress (adj. R2 = .430). Identifying as a woman and experiencing food insecurity were associated with higher psychological distress. Younger age, greater ‘bounce back’ resilience, and longer sleep duration were associated with lower psychological distress. ConclusionFurther research should investigate how these associations may change among sexuality and/or gender diverse university students in Australia — across different institutions, over time, and amid broader social and structural factors. Implications for future practice — particularly institutional interventions and data-gathering — are also discussed.

Gender Gap? A Survey among Plastic Surgeons in Germany.

Gender Gap? A Survey among Plastic Surgeons in Germany.

Ethical Considerations in United States of America Music Therapy Higher Education

At the undergraduate level, music therapy education includes the academic experiences of budding music therapists. By applying the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs framework to an educational context, for students to reach self-actualization (i.e., highest degree of self-fulfillment), they must satisfy certain basic needs that all humans require (i.e., physiological needs, safety-security needs, love and belongingness needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization needs). If individuals do not satisfy these needs throughout development, they may regress or become “stuck” at their current tier. Undergraduate students, many of whom are in the developmental stage of emerging adulthood, are at a point of development in which mentorship is still necessary. The purpose of this study was to apply Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to an educational setting and provide suggestions which could ameliorate the threats to safety and security currently inherent in music therapy education, and in higher education as a whole. By conducting an in-depth analysis of the threats to “safety-security needs” in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, music therapy instructors may wish to consider the following action steps: (a) prevention of the appropriation of intellectual property; (b) preventative measures against oppression, harassment, and sexual harassment; and (c) reassessment of the current music therapy internship structure. Acknowledgments I would like to thank Dr. Abbey Dvorak for her guidance, support, feedback, and patience with me throughout the authoring of this manuscript. Thank you also to Nathan Mensah, one of my most trusted mentors, for his feedback. Lastly, I send my deepest thanks to Ms. Jennifer Deberg, research librarian at the University of Iowa. This article would not have come to be without her invaluable assistance in combing through the relevant research literature.

A Reflection of Gender Inequality: The Analysis of Bridget Jones’s Diary through the Gender Perspective

This study examines the 2001 film Bridget Jones’s Diary from a gender perspective, exploring how the movie reflects gender inequality through its portrayal of body image, family roles, and career dynamics. Although the film is often categorized as a romantic comedy, it subtly critiques societal norms and gender disparities. The analysis reveals that the protagonist, Bridget, is subject to body standards shaped by mass media, which are predominantly influenced by the male gaze. The film’s portrayal of Bridget’s body, particularly in intimate scenes, highlights the unequal representation of men and women in terms of physical exposure and objectification. Furthermore, the family dynamic in the film exemplifies gender inequality through the division of labor, where women, despite being at the center of family life, are still relegated to secondary roles, while male authority is implicit in family decision-making. Lastly, career-related gender segregation is evident, with Bridget initially employed in a low-status position and later facing sexual harassment in her new job as a journalist. The film portrays the contrast between female and male characters, with men holding more prestigious and well-paid roles. This analysis contributes to the ongoing discussion of gender inequality in popular culture, providing a fresh perspective on a well-known film and offering insight into the subtle ways gender bias is perpetuated in everyday life.

Design and Validation of the Cyber Sexual Harassment Scale-Professor Student.

Young adult females face alarming rates of sexual victimization, with a growing concern about cybersexual harassment in the digital age (prevalence ranging from 4.6% to 70% in university female students), depending on sexual harassment parameters evaluated, different methodologies used, or sample characteristics. However, no studies so far assessed the cybersexual harassment from professor to their students. Thus, we developed and validated the Cyber Sexual Harassment Scale-Professor Student (CSHS-PS) to assess virtual sexual harassment by professors towards their students. A sample of 1,249 participants aged 18-40 was used for exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The CSHS-PS demonstrated a two-factor structure, capturing "Unwanted Interaction" and "Sharing with Others." Reliability and validity were confirmed, showing promise for assessing online sexual harassment in academia. This scale contributes to understanding and addressing this prevalent issue, especially among younger women, in educational settings, providing a valuable tool for research and practice.

Socio-Epidemiological Perspectives of Sexual Trauma Experiences and Influential Factors on Sexual Orientation in Men Who Have Sex with Men

The complexity of sexuality and sexual trauma experiences, including harassment, unwanted touching, sexual urges, and forced sexual intercourse, should not be underestimated because of the tendency to initiate adverse psychosocial impacts. Sexual harassment can increase mental health risks, which may influence sexual orientation decisions. This quantitative study, using a cross-sectional design, aimed to determine a relationship between sexual trauma experiences and sexual orientation in men who have sex with men (MSM). This study population was MSM living in Palembang and Prabumulih City, with a sample size of 216 respondents. The proportion of respondents with homosexual orientation was 57.1%, and the proportion having sexual trauma experiences was 42.3%. The multiple logistic regression identified a significant relationship between sexual trauma experiences and sexual orientation in MSM with a pvalue of 0.02, an adjusted odds ratio of 2.71, and a 95% CI of 1.17-6.26. These results suggested a higher risk of a different sexual orientation among traumatized MSM compared to MSM without one after controlling access to pornographic content and correcting parenting patterns. Sexual trauma has been shown to affect individual sexual orientation; therefore, special attention is needed due to the impact on future life behavior.