How Common Is Female Sexual Harassment?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Same-Sex Sexual Harassment?Why Don’t People Report Same-Sex Sexual Harassment?Why Do People Sexually Harass Others?How Often It Occurs

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is Same-Sex Sexual Harassment?

Why Don’t People Report Same-Sex Sexual Harassment?

Why Do People Sexually Harass Others?

How Often It Occurs

Close

When former Thinx CEO Miki Agrawal came up with the concept of “period-proof underwear,” the company was applauded for its commitment to empowering women and de-stigmatizing menstruation. So when Agrawal, a self-described feminist who claimed she created an open and safe working environment, was accused of sexually harassing her predominately female staff, people were shocked.

Here was a company touted as a trailblazing feminist organization with a former CEO accused of female-to-female sexual harassment. How could that be?

At a GlanceWorkplace harassment often involves men harassing women, but it is essential to note that anyone can be a perpetrator or victim of this kind of behavior. Female sexual harassment is less common, but it may also be less likely to be reported.If you have experienced workplace sexual harassment, be aware of your rights and talk to your manager or HR department about what you have experienced. You may also consider filing a report with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

At a Glance

Workplace harassment often involves men harassing women, but it is essential to note that anyone can be a perpetrator or victim of this kind of behavior. Female sexual harassment is less common, but it may also be less likely to be reported.If you have experienced workplace sexual harassment, be aware of your rights and talk to your manager or HR department about what you have experienced. You may also consider filing a report with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Workplace harassment often involves men harassing women, but it is essential to note that anyone can be a perpetrator or victim of this kind of behavior. Female sexual harassment is less common, but it may also be less likely to be reported.

If you have experienced workplace sexual harassment, be aware of your rights and talk to your manager or HR department about what you have experienced. You may also consider filing a report with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Sexual harassment falls under Title VII, which is a law against sexual discrimination in the workplace. It occurs when someone engages in unwelcome sexual conduct in the workplace that affects you, your job, the work environment, as well as others in the workplace.Under the law, there are two types of sexual harassment claims:Quid pro quo claimsHostile environment claims

Sexual harassment falls under Title VII, which is a law against sexual discrimination in the workplace. It occurs when someone engages in unwelcome sexual conduct in the workplace that affects you, your job, the work environment, as well as others in the workplace.

Under the law, there are two types of sexual harassment claims:

With quid pro quo claims, a supervisor or someone with authority over an employee requests or implies an unwelcome sexual demand in exchange for something on the job, such as getting a promotion or not being fired.

In the Thinx case, Agrawal allegedly had an obsession with one employee’s breasts, touching them without permission and asking her to expose them.She was also accused of holding routine video conference meetings while naked in bed and frequently changing clothes in front of employees.

What’s more, there are reports that she conducted at least one FaceTime meeting while sitting on a toilet and regularly discussed her sexual exploits, includingpolyamory. Other reports indicate she expressed an interest in having asexual relationshipwith at least one of her female employees.

Most researchers suggest that the actual number of people who have experienced same-sex sexual harassment is likely higher than what is currently being reported.

In fact, it is extremely difficult to measure how frequently it occurs in the workplace because people often never file a complaint.

Aside from the fact that it is difficult to report and prove, victims of sexual harassment often worry that they are somehow to blame for the unwelcome sexual advances.

What’s more, they worry about what others will think of them if they do file a report, especially when the harasser is the same gender. They are often embarrassed and ashamed over what is happening to them.

Experts expect to see a rise in the number of same-sex sexual harassment complaints as employees become more empowered. In general, people are more willing to stand up to others and point out that their civil rights have been violated.

Most people who sexually harass others, regardless of whether they are men or women, want to control and dominate others. The harasser feels more in control when she has power over someone else.

Some harassers look to embarrass and humiliate their targets rather than sexually stimulate or flirt with them.

How Often It Occurs

According to a 2015 survey, one out of three women between the ages of 18 and 34 experiences sexual harassment at work.Of those women, 81% of them have experienced verbal harassment, 44% have received sexual advances and unwanted touching, and 25% have dealt with lewd texts or emails.

Yet, very few women are reporting the abuse. In fact, 71% of women say that they never reported the sexual harassment they endured at work. And of the 29% who did report the harassment, only 15% felt it was handled properly.

For those who work to educate others about sexual harassment prevention, these figures are particularly disappointing—especially considering that 82% of companies offer sexual harassment training for managers and 64% offer employee training.

Sexual harassment in the workplace can have both emotional and professional costs. It contributes to negative feelings, disengagement, and exhaustion. Research has also shown that it has a negative effect on co-workers who witness such behaviors. That is why it is so crucial for employers to have comprehensive training programs and policies for how to respond to sexual harassment in the workplace.

If you have been a victim of sexual harassment at work, let someone in management or human resources know what you are experiencing. And if they do not take you seriously, contact theEEOCor an attorney for suggestions on what to do next.

10 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cosmopolitan.Survey: 1 in 3 women has been sexually harassed at work.U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.Sexual harassment.The Cut.Sexual harassment claims against a SHE-E-O: Thinx boss Miki Agrawal wanted to break taboos about the female body.Human Rights Campaign.Degrees of equality: A national study examining workplace climate for LGBT employees. 2009.Keplinger K, Johnson SK, Kirk JF, Barnes LY.Women at work: Changes in sexual harassment between September 2016 and September 2018.PLoS ONE. 2019;14(7):e0218313. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0218313Harvard Business Review.Why we fail to report sexual harassment.Gravelin CR, Biernat M, Bucher CE.Blaming the victim of acquaintance rape: Individual, situational, and sociocultural factors.Front Psychol. 2019;9:2422. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02422American Psychological Association.What it really takes to stop sexual harassment.Dobbin F, Kalev A.The promise and peril of sexual harassment programs.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2019;116(25):12255-12260. doi:10.1073/pnas.1818477116Acquadro Maran D, Varetto A, Civilotti C.Sexual harassment in the workplace: Consequences and perceived self-efficacy in women and men witnesses and non-witnesses.Behav Sci (Basel). 2022;12(9):326. doi:10.3390/bs12090326

10 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cosmopolitan.Survey: 1 in 3 women has been sexually harassed at work.U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.Sexual harassment.The Cut.Sexual harassment claims against a SHE-E-O: Thinx boss Miki Agrawal wanted to break taboos about the female body.Human Rights Campaign.Degrees of equality: A national study examining workplace climate for LGBT employees. 2009.Keplinger K, Johnson SK, Kirk JF, Barnes LY.Women at work: Changes in sexual harassment between September 2016 and September 2018.PLoS ONE. 2019;14(7):e0218313. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0218313Harvard Business Review.Why we fail to report sexual harassment.Gravelin CR, Biernat M, Bucher CE.Blaming the victim of acquaintance rape: Individual, situational, and sociocultural factors.Front Psychol. 2019;9:2422. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02422American Psychological Association.What it really takes to stop sexual harassment.Dobbin F, Kalev A.The promise and peril of sexual harassment programs.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2019;116(25):12255-12260. doi:10.1073/pnas.1818477116Acquadro Maran D, Varetto A, Civilotti C.Sexual harassment in the workplace: Consequences and perceived self-efficacy in women and men witnesses and non-witnesses.Behav Sci (Basel). 2022;12(9):326. doi:10.3390/bs12090326

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Cosmopolitan.Survey: 1 in 3 women has been sexually harassed at work.U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.Sexual harassment.The Cut.Sexual harassment claims against a SHE-E-O: Thinx boss Miki Agrawal wanted to break taboos about the female body.Human Rights Campaign.Degrees of equality: A national study examining workplace climate for LGBT employees. 2009.Keplinger K, Johnson SK, Kirk JF, Barnes LY.Women at work: Changes in sexual harassment between September 2016 and September 2018.PLoS ONE. 2019;14(7):e0218313. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0218313Harvard Business Review.Why we fail to report sexual harassment.Gravelin CR, Biernat M, Bucher CE.Blaming the victim of acquaintance rape: Individual, situational, and sociocultural factors.Front Psychol. 2019;9:2422. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02422American Psychological Association.What it really takes to stop sexual harassment.Dobbin F, Kalev A.The promise and peril of sexual harassment programs.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2019;116(25):12255-12260. doi:10.1073/pnas.1818477116Acquadro Maran D, Varetto A, Civilotti C.Sexual harassment in the workplace: Consequences and perceived self-efficacy in women and men witnesses and non-witnesses.Behav Sci (Basel). 2022;12(9):326. doi:10.3390/bs12090326

Cosmopolitan.Survey: 1 in 3 women has been sexually harassed at work.

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.Sexual harassment.

The Cut.Sexual harassment claims against a SHE-E-O: Thinx boss Miki Agrawal wanted to break taboos about the female body.

Human Rights Campaign.Degrees of equality: A national study examining workplace climate for LGBT employees. 2009.

Keplinger K, Johnson SK, Kirk JF, Barnes LY.Women at work: Changes in sexual harassment between September 2016 and September 2018.PLoS ONE. 2019;14(7):e0218313. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0218313

Harvard Business Review.Why we fail to report sexual harassment.

Gravelin CR, Biernat M, Bucher CE.Blaming the victim of acquaintance rape: Individual, situational, and sociocultural factors.Front Psychol. 2019;9:2422. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02422

American Psychological Association.What it really takes to stop sexual harassment.

Dobbin F, Kalev A.The promise and peril of sexual harassment programs.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2019;116(25):12255-12260. doi:10.1073/pnas.1818477116

Acquadro Maran D, Varetto A, Civilotti C.Sexual harassment in the workplace: Consequences and perceived self-efficacy in women and men witnesses and non-witnesses.Behav Sci (Basel). 2022;12(9):326. doi:10.3390/bs12090326

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?