Women are the main victims of sexual harassment in a world that is still governed by sexist patterns where men continue to have power and feel the need to demonstrate their position of superiority. This situation of harassment occurs especially in the workplace, where the hierarchies are more delimited and it is possible to play more easily with the abuse of power. However, it is not always easy to recognize that we are experiencing sexual harassment.
Recognize sexual harassment
As if it were not enough for women to fight against wage inequality, employment discrimination and the long-awaited reconciliation, which is still a matter for women, we still have to face one more difficulty at work: sexual harassment. A more common practice than it seems and that thousands of women suffer every day.
Sexual harassment practices can take different forms, sometimes very subtle, making it difficult to recognize them. In addition, it is usually a long process that diminishes the victim’s self-esteem, not to mention the health consequences that a situation like this can have. Obviously your boss is not going to pressure you to have sex with him on the first day of work, but the harassment begins in a subtle way hidden in flattery and displays of superiority.
As the line between what is a crime and what is a behavior marked by a macho society is very fine, we must be cautious about it. There’s nothing you can do if your coworker tells you how great that suit looks on you today, but pay attention to his eyes and body language to see if he’s just a polite compliment or if he’s looking for something more.
How to react to sexual harassment?
You should bear in mind that sexual harassment directly threatens your freedom, so you do not have to feel guilty when reporting a situation like this. Logic is what can help you determine if you are being bullied or not. And remember that the law is on your side, but society is not. If your colleagues make sexist jokes, the only thing you can do is point out their bad taste and bad education, but you don’t have to tolerate someone invading your physical space or touching you even if it is disguised as a call for attention.
For some people it is customary to put their hand on the shoulder, for example, the person they are talking to. But if that gesture is accompanied by leering or insinuations about intimate aspects, you will have to stop that behavior before it escalates. Because if you are able to stop it in time and distance yourself, you will avoid getting into a delicate situation that can lead to depression.
Unfortunately, sexual harassment is one of those practices that is difficult to prove, and you will not always be able to stop it in time. As soon as you see that the insinuations turn into calls or emails pressuring you, don’t think about it anymore and report it.