Workplace Sexual Harassment

As the #MeToo movement made disturbingly clear, sexual assault and harassment persist throughout American institutions and present yet another set of obstacles to women’s advancement. And though Title VII protects women in the workplace, one study found that 34% of female employees say they have been sexually harassed by a colleague. AAUW’s recent report, Limiting Our Livelihoods, documents the effects of harassment:

• Threatens women’s mental health and physical safety: Psychologists report that sexual harassment can lead to depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. And organizational behaviorists link it to an increased risk of long-term physical health problems. 

• Erodes women’s short- and long-term economic security: In AAUW’s survey, 38% of women who’d been harassed said it contributed to their decision to leave a job early, and 37% said it disrupted their career advancement. When women decrease their hours or leave their job to avoid a harasser, it reduces their wages and ability to save and build wealth.
• Contributes to the leadership gap: Women who attempt to avoid their harasser can miss out on valuable on-the-job training and mentorship — which are critical in helping women rise into leadership positions.