Sexual Harassment Statistics You Should Know

Sexual Harassment Statistics You Should Know An extraordinary percent of women experience sexual harassment most women either have experienced it firsthand because they were harassed or know someone else who is a victim of sexual harassment.And whileeverysexual harassment case after sexual harassment case may bedrngnis be surprising, it is disturbing and workdistribution policy sexual harassment is leading to a whole onslaught of other issues likepost-traumatic stress disorder in victims who are now coping with the aftermath.The viral hashtags MeToo and YesAllWomen, and the recent and increasing number of sexual assault allegations from many different industries make the prevalence of sexual assault in the workplace even more obvious. And we have the data to back it up. Companies are taking action to put sexual harassment training in place and establish a sexual harassment policy they see fit, but women like Sheryl Sandberg suggest that the solution to stopping the cycle of sexual a buse and sex discrimination is to hire more women.The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a government agency tasked with enforcing the laws that make harassment at work illegal, released a report last year detailing the findings of The Task Force on the Study of Harassment in the Workplace.The findings around sexual assault/harassment in the workplace are particularly shocking. Here are five of the most alarming stats surrounding workplace sexual harassment.1.Forty-five percent of the EEOCs harassment claims were sex-based.In FY2015, the EEOC received over 28,000 harassment claims for both private and public employers (e.g. government). A majority of this 45 percent were sex-based claims. Other types of harassment claims included harassment on the basis of race, disability, age, national origin and religion.While sex-based claims include sexual harassment, gender identity and sexual orientation, a majority of the sex-based harassment claims were due to sexual harassment . Even though many harassment claims go unreported (see below), those that are reported are overwhelmingly due to sexual harassment. If someone is asking for a sexual favor, making any kind ofsexual advance or doing anything in a sexual nature at work, it would be considered harassment.2. At least 25 percent of women experience sexual harassment in the workplace.Let that sink in. At leastonein four women experience sexual harassment in the workplace. And the EEOCs study found that, in some reports, that number is as high as 85 percent.The difference in the range of percentages comes from differences in types of sampling and how respondents and/or researchers define the term sexual harassment.Whether it is 25 percent or 85 percent of women who experience sexual harassment in the workplace, however, it is still a disturbingly high percentage that we cant ignore.3.Seventy-five percent of harassment victims experienced retaliation when they reported it.When reports come out that a perso n or people have experienced sexual harassment, the most common responses include Why didnt she say anything? or Why didnt she report it?.Victim advocates, and anyone who has experienced workplace harassment, know that the most common reason is because they worry that not only will they not be believed, but also that theyll be fired.Thats exactly what one study in 2003 found75 percent of employees who spoke out against workplace mistreatment faced some form of retaliation. Other studies show that organizations respond to sexual harassment reports specifically by inaction or minimizing.These numbers make it clear that workplaces arent doing enough to protect employees, particularly women, from reporting harassment.4. Somewhere between 87 and 94 percent of employees experiencing harassment do not file a formal complaint.Considering that 75 percent of employees who report harassment experience retaliation, its not surprising that many choose not to takeany type of formal action against a harasser.Evidently, hoever, this depends on sexual harassment complaint. Some types of harassing behavior are reported more than others. One study found that sexually coercive behavior is reported about 30 percent of the time, while unwanted physical touching is only report eight percent of the time.5. Sexual harassment costs companies millions.Sexual harassment affects a business bottom line. in 2015, the EEOC recovered $164.5 million for workers alleging harassment claims.But, beyond that, employers face other direct costs in addition to legal fees.Hostile work environments lead to an unproductive workforce, increased turnover and harm to the companys reputation. All of these take extensive time and money to repair. And, regardless, all employees deserve to feel safe and supported at work. We know from these sexual harassment statistics, however, that they dont necessarily feel safe.If you or someone you know wishes to file a sexual harassment claim through the EEOC, please vis it https//www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/sexual_harassment.cfm for more information. Consult your companys sexual harassment policy to file a sexual harassment complaint through your work, as well.--Jennifer Koza is a social worker specializing in program development. By day she is a research and evaluation analyst, committed to preventing violence against women and studying the value of work and workplaces. By night she is a painter- or at least she tries to be when shes not catching up on t.v./movies (or re-watching The West Wing, Gilmore Girls, or The Office).