If you are the victim of sexual harassment in the workplace in Florida, you may be one of the many who have not shared it with anyone. There are many reasons why people who experience sexual harassment do not report it, and this continues to be an issue around the country.
Psychology Today discusses what constitutes sexual harassment. It includes
- Inappropriate touching
- Lewd comments
- Jokes of a sexual nature
- Unwelcome sexual texts or emails
- Sexual favoritism
- Offering of sex in exchange for benefit or promotion
- Showing graphic images
Many people do not understand why more men and women do not report sexual harassment. Denial is common, as is thinking it wasn’t that big of a deal. Feeling ashamed is also a major reason why some don’t come forward. A victim may blame him or herself, feel humiliated or feel unworthy. Another common reason is victims fear the consequences of telling someone, especially in an employment situation.
According to The Huffington Post, many people are fearful of reporting the incident to human resources. Some do not feel the manager is taking the report seriously, while others fear it will not stay confidential and the consequences will be even greater. Some victims are afraid of losing their jobs and not being able to find a comparable one. Some would rather sweep the incident under the rug and pretend it never happened. Some keep quiet because they feel they need an employer’s or colleague’s recommendation to climb the ladder. Even if the victim chooses to leave a job due to harassment, it can be difficult to explain to potential employers the reason for looking for a new position.
