The #metoo movement inspired a groundswell of reporting on sexual harassment, with more than 100 high-profile men facing allegations of inappropriate workplace behavior.
Nearly half of women say they have experienced some form of sexual harassment at least once, according to The New York Times; our renewed focus on the subject is well-founded. However, there’s another important aspect to remember: Men can be victims of sexual harassment, too.
Consider these statistics:
- During fiscal year 2017, men initiated 16.5 percent of the sexual harassment charges filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. That’s about 1,239 allegations.
- In a report by the U.S. Merit System Protection Board, which oversees federal employees, 19 percent of men said they experienced “some form of unwanted sexual attention.” This included attempted assault, pressure for sexual favors, deliberate touching, sexual looks or gestures, letters or calls, pressure for dates and sexual teasing, jokes, remarks or questions.
The harassers can be male or female. Of the men who said they experienced unwanted sexual attention in the MPSB report, 65 percent said they were harassed by women, 21 percent were harassed by men, and 14 percent were harassed by either mixed groups or unknown sources.
Some recent headlines provide examples. In December, actor Terry Crews filed a lawsuit against an agent he accused of groping him at a Hollywood party. Also in December, Andrea Ramsey, a candidate for Congress, dropped out of her race after the media reported that 12 years earlier, she was accused of sexually harassing and retaliating against a former male subordinate.
No matter your gender, if you have experienced sexual harassment at work, the fundamentals remain the same:
What is sexual harassment?
According to the EEOC, harassment can include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other “verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.” It does not have to be specific to the individual; it can include offensive remarks about a person’s sex in general.
Who can be victims or harassers?
Both victim and harasser can be either a woman or a man, and the victim and harasser can be the same sex, too. Harassers can be supervisors, coworkers or even someone who is not another employee, such as a vendor or customer.
When does sexual harassment cross the line?
Harassment is illegal when it is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile or offensive work environment, or when it results in negative effects, such as a firing or demotion.
What should I do if I’m being harassed?
- Document any “quid pro quo” offers or inappropriate comments.
- Keep your notes and collect evidence – make screen shots or print out messages.
- Report the harassment through proper work channels. This is a requirement before pursuing legal action; it’s important to give your employer a chance to fix the situation.
- From here, consider filing a report with the EEOC and talking to a lawyer.
For more information, we recommend Forbes’ “What to Do If You’re Being Sexually Harassed at Work.”
Keller Grover takes a stand for individuals who have encountered wrongful termination, discrimination and harassment, and retaliation. Contact us at 866-663-3308 for a free consultation.