Essay Example on Sexual harassment Experiences Qualitative and Quantitative researches

Numbers of researches have been conducted to figure out the ratio of victims In developing countries, unreliable researchers have been found, therefore the true picture of the issue cannot be known. The methods of surveys used are also different in different countries and results differ according to type of questions asked and how many questions were asked. Despite of the difficulties in measuring the sexual harassment experiences qualitative and quantitative researches conducted so far shows that it is a serious issue which is the violation of human rights.

 The two types of research conducted in 16 western European countries in 1988 concluded that. A rough estimate shows that 40- 50 of female employees experienced sexual harassment one way or another at workplace 2/3rd female employees faced verbal sexual harassment and less than 5 reported a physical sexual assault. A psychologist Dr Louise Fitzgerald used his famous Sexual Experiences Questionnaire and exposed that 40 -60 of women in US experienced sexual harassment. The research conducted by an NGO named as Women’s Legal Center in July 2001 found that 76 of women experienced sexual harassment at their workplace, however, 40 left their jobs due to this. A survey conducted by the New Zealand Human Rights Commission in 2000 discovered that 1/3rd of women get sexually harassed and younger women are more vulnerable to it and the commonplace sexual harassment occurs is office.


Australian. Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission conducted a survey in their entire country in 2004 and results revealed that 28 females in their got sexually harassed in the way or another. Narrowly focused samples, cross-sectional data, inconsistent time frames used in the researches do not answer why sexual harassment occurs at the workplace. Situate the results within the theories of gender and sexual harassment. It is possible that female supervisors report their experiences more because of their awareness and legal consciousness on sexual harassment. The supervisor’s education level and training they attend exposure to the outer world and the variety of people increase her understanding of the phenomena and her legal rights on the issue which leads them to report their cases. Qualitative research is better suited to discovering how the meaning of sexual behaviors varies in different organizational contexts. Awareness on sexual harassment laws and policies, understanding of the phenomena is necessary. 

Authority Gender. Gender expression and composition of the staff in an organization affects the phenomena of sexual harassment. Men’s harassment is not always based on sexual desires. Men harass women to keep women in their place and do not let her progress sometimes by discouraging her from using comments not recognizing her work. Men think that secretary or junior-level positions are suited for her. A typical scenario in which a male supervisor is harassing his female subordinates is not necessarily always the case, as literature shows varied scenarios. Research shows that female supervisors are more likely to experience sexual harassment than non-supervisors, however, this otherwise with the male supervisors.


Qualitative research is best suited for this research because sexual behaviors vary from organization to organization, therefore to study the context and behaviors and perceptions of the employee's qualitative research techniques Mclaughlin et al 2012. Another study used Qualitative research techniques face to face interviews and FDGs. The findings showed that sexual harassment at the workplace is linked with the Patriarchal society and male-dominated workplace where the offenders have the freedom and an opportunity to harass women and it is not a matter of concern for them. The social setting and physiology of the people are important factors contributing to sexual harassment at the workplace. The research is referring to the postmodern feminist theory, the radical feminist theory and theories pertaining to sexual harassment Malinga 2011. A research conducted on sexual harassment issues through qualitative research technique used literature review, first to identify issues international and national policies related to sexual harassment at the workplace in the region. Then through FDGs the literature review. Secondary data was analyzed and reviewed to understand the issue and come up with the new findings. FDGs were done with relevant stakeholders to know the 1 perceptions of different parties about the sexual harassment at the workplace. 2 to identify the issues and 3 to study laws and policies related to it ILO 2013. Men usually only consider physical assault as sexual harassment whereas the perceptions of women on sexual harassment are varied which shows their lack of understanding about the issue.

While discussing sexual harassment at workplace gender harassment is often neglected and unreported. Gender harassment is thought to be a serious issue at the workplace however, gender harassment is neglected and considered a trivial matter. Gender harassment should be recognized and legitimized as a form of sex-based discrimination at the workplace. Comments from colleagues on the basis of gender stereotypes are common at some organizations. Women who work with organizations and regions which are traditionally male-dominated societies, face many challenges. Women are treated to be inadequate out of place, cannot perform certain tasks as males do. They are criticized for their dresses and think that it is not her duty to work in offices Leskinen et al 2011. Sexual harassment at work is a form of unlawful sex discrimination. There are a few phrases which one should understand, sexual harassment and to know their legal rights. Like unwelcome which means unwanted conduct based on ones, sex means any harassment including verbal nonverbal visual physical is sexual harassment.

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