Some men use sexual harassment as a means to show their superiority and dominance at work. Asserting power over women to reinforce gender stereotypes

Some men use sexual harassment as a means to show their superiority and dominance at work.

Asserting power over women to reinforce gender stereotypes / ‘keep women in their place’

If the work environment tolerates or condones sexual harassment, these men are likely to act on it

Copyright of AWARE 2009Gender relations

Out of 272 respondents who experienced sexual harassment

WOMEN 215

52

MEN

5 Unknown

AWARE SURVEY

Copyright of AWARE 2009

Victims predominantly women

The Power PlayerThe Mother-Father figureOne-of-the-GangThe OpportunistThe BullyThe PestThe Great GallantThe Groper


Profile of harassers-behavior and type of harassment

Subordinates

Perceived passivity or lack of assertiveness

Poor education or being naive

Low self-esteem

AgeAWARE SURVEY

24% were 21-25 years old

Copyright of AWARE 2009Who may be the target?

Ignore it

Avoid it

Play along

Find a “protector” within the office hierarchy

Protest the harassment

Quit

Responses by the victim


0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Guilty

Afraid lose job

Resigned to situation

Affected job

Wish had someone to talk to

Confused

Afraid

Wish something could be done

Angry

AWARE SURVEY


Emotions upon experiencing sexual harassment

Sexual harassment is a type of sexual abuse

Victim of severe or chronic harassment can suffer the

same psychological effects as rape victims

Long road towards recovery

Sexual Harassment is Sexual Abuse


Job Performance symptoms

Depressive symptoms

Behavioral symptoms

Perceptive symptoms

Long-Term effects

Symptoms of the Victim


What may be the factors that silence the

victim?

-Individual factors

-Organisational factors

Silencing the victim


Range of Emotions

Victim’s personal struggles…Copyright of AWARE 2009

confusion

embarrassment

guilt and shame

denial

minimizingfear

numbin

g invalidati

ondefamation

sexual orientation

masculinity

No proper complaint mechanism in place

Trust words of senior

Protect the image of the company

Organisational Barriers


Harasser Employer

Criminal lawCivil law:

Tort

Civil law: Breach of contract /

Tort

Copyright of AWARE 2009Legal Redress for harassed

Part I: [First time when incident occurs]• Get message across clearly; “no one can

read your mind”

• Tell harasser to STOP (!) not just with your words but also with your non-verbals (eyes, gestures, tone, physiology)

• Be Specific, Be Firm and Be Direct when you say “NO”


What can you do if it happens to you??

Different Ways to say “No”


What can you do if it happens to you (cont.)??

• You may not be aware, but when you [specify action], it makes me uncomfortable and I want this behavior to STOP.

• I feel uncomfortable when you [specify action] ……..So, please stop.

• “Please stop, you are making me

uncomfortable with [specify action]”

Part II: [When incident is escalated]

• Alert someone at the workplace that this is happening to you. Ask them to observe the interaction

• Start noting down dates/time/place; who was present at the time of incidents.



Part II: [When incident is escalated]

Get EVIDENCE

• Keep SMSs and emails ; send email to HR Department or trusted colleague stating facts and ask for help

• Tape conversations

• People as witnesses

• Seek support from family, friends or call AWARE helpline if you still feel unsure



Part III: As a witness

• Be part of the Solution and not the problem

• Speak up to your HR or union if you see sexual harrassment bothering someone

• Cooperate with sexual harassment investigation

IT IS YOUR WORKPLACE TOO!!


What can you do if you witness someone being sexually harassed?

In trios

Harasser Victim Observer

Copyright of AWARE 2009Saying “NO”

Call AWARE’s Helpline at1800 774 5935Monday – Friday3:00pm – 9:30pm


Documents

Some men use sexual harassment as a means to show their superiority and dominance at work. Asserting power over women to reinforce gender stereotypes