SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE

October 11th, 2010 § 43 comments

The ugly nature of sexual harassment is explored in the 2005 film ‘North Country’. The film is based on the story of Lois Jenson, a young woman who, after leaving her abusive husband, returns to her home town where she gains employment in an ore mine.
In a male dominated industry the work is hard and jobs are scarce. It is not the best of times. With little work available the male workers do not respond well to competition from a woman. Soon Lois becomes the target of verbal and physical abuse that quickly degenerates into inappropriate innuendo and behaviour.
Lois endured this abhorrent treatment for nearly a decade before speaking out. So began the first class-action sexual harassment lawsuit in US history.
The story is a long and sordid affair of mental anguish and legal manoeuvring as Lois seeks justice from a society that would prefer to just look the other way.
That was thirty years ago but it is truly amazing just how pervasive workplace sexual harassment is, even today.
Even in my sleepy old city of Perth you cannot help but witness acts of sexual harassment almost every day. There is a tendency, both in the case of the abuser and the abused, to laugh it off as harmless fun or a joke taken to far, and maybe that is true, once, but if it happens repeatedly it can easily lead to prolonged detrimental effects.
With anxiety and depression common in victims sexual harassment also appears to create far reaching trust issues. The results can also be physical in nature with headaches and insomnia being common.
Workplace sexual harassment is not acceptable and the only way to get that message through to society is to investigate it and to have those responsible held accountable for their actions. If you see someone being victimised in this way report it, allow the professionals to investigate and lay charges where necessary. A victim may lack the confidence to stand up against sexual harassment, a little assistance from conscientious investigators can go a long way to help.


Information from HOW TO DEAL WITH SEXUAL HARASSMENT

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