The long-lasting effects of workplace sexual harassment

  

                                    The long-lasting effects of workplace sexual harassment

    We already know that all types of harassment can leave a heavy effects on victims, especially sexual harassment. But some of us may not know or even can't imagine this will continue to go with victims for their whole life. This news will give more insights about 3 terms impact of sexual harassment at work.

    Experiencing sexual harassment can have lasting consequences affecting different aspects of an individual's life such as health, finances, and relationships over short, medium, and long-term periods.

    In the short term, individuals facing sexual harassment encounter immediate challenges such as unemployment, lost wages, and deteriorating health. The pervasive nature of inappropriate conduct makes it difficult to precisely quantify the extent of sexual harassment, with perceptions varying based on background, culture, and context. Reports indicate widespread occurrences across diverse sectors, including civil service, restaurants, farming, and climate diplomacy, with factors like race, class, and migration status influencing who becomes a target. Moreover, people who report sexual harassment also have to confront job risks like ostracism and termination.

    In the medium term, sexual harassment disrupts career paths, intensifying gender disparities and the isolation of women in certain fields. Moreover, the economic consequences are significant. Individuals facing blacklisting or damage to their reputation are compelled into lower-paying roles, resulting in income losses, and impeding professional advancement, frequently necessitating additional education for a career reboot. The detrimental effects on financial stability also extend to personal relationships, with cases where ongoing harassment contributes to marital breakdowns and the reduction of partners' income.

    Lastly, in the long term, the repercussions of experiencing sexual harassment extend to various aspects such as savings, retirement, and personal revelations, affecting mental and physical health well into middle age. Beyond the immediate consequences, individuals often hesitate to speak out until they achieve a certain level of security in their careers. Geologist Jane Willenbring, for instance, faced harassment during her graduate studies, but it took 17 years and achieving tenure for her to file a complaint against her harasser. Some people who experience sexual harassment have to work longer to make up for lost retirement benefits.

For me, I found this news really interesting because it featured the stories of individuals who suffered from sexual harassment in the workplace so that I can have a vivid point of view and empathetic perspective into the consequences of this behavior. And I realized that sexual harassment is an entrenched and widespread problem with consequences that extend well beyond the initial incident. So there is an urgent need from both organization and society to address and eradicate the deeply rooted issue of workplace sexual harassment.

Reference: Ro, C. (2022, February 25). The long-lasting effects of workplace sexual harassment. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20211113-the-long-lasting-effects-of-workplace-sexual-harassment