According to a recent report, a new study by Harvard University reveals that approximately 87 percent of women between the ages of 18 and 25 have been sexually harassed at one point or another.
The study surveyed 3,000 high school students and young adults and found that most young women have experienced some form of sexual harassment. However, over 50 percent of men and close to 50 percent of all survey takers do not recognize gender-based harassment as a societal problem.
The study also revealed that disrespectful sexual behavior may stem from a failure to talk about sexuality at home and a lack of proper sex education. A vast majority of young people have not spoken to their parents about how to engage in healthy sexual relationships. When conversations are not being had at home, many young people turn to society and media to learn about how to behave sexually and in turn, learn negative behaviors.
Many of these young people enter the workplace with misunderstandings as to what is acceptable sexual behavior. As a result, they may end up treating others inappropriately through lewd comments, inappropriate touching and unwanted advances. Victims of sexual harassment in Rhode Island may find that their workplace is no longer safe and may be forced to quit a job they otherwise loved and lose money as a result of these behaviors. Employers may be held liable for the harassing behaviors of their employees and have to pay damages to those who are sexually harassed at work.
Source: Huffington Post, “Study Confirms That Most American Women Have Experienced Sexual Harassment,” Jenavieve Hatch, May 19, 2017