Men Are Victims of Sexual Harassment Too

 Posted on October 18, 2018 in Workplace Sexual Harassment

Never has the nation’s attention been more focused on sexual misconduct than in the last few years. Many influential and famous men have been accused of sex crimes ranging from violent sexual assault to workplace sexual harassment.

While it is true that the vast majority of sex crime victims are women, it is imperative to note that men can also be the victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment. In fact, a recent survey showed that approximately one-third of working men have experienced sexual harassment in the prior year. Furthermore, a little over 16 percent of all complaints made to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), were filed by men in 2011. Data shows that this number is rising. Men may have a particularly difficult time when filing complaints about workplace sexual harassment for a variety of reasons. If you are a man who has been sexually harassed at work, keep the following things in mind.

You Deserve to Be Free from Harassment

Being sexually harassed at work can be devastating. No one should have to tolerate unwanted touching or sexually-charged comments or jokes made at their expense. Furthermore, no one should ever be forced to perform sexual favors in order to keep his or her job or gain workplace benefits. Unfortunately, sexual harassment like this continues to be a problem in offices and worksites across the country. If you are a man who has been sexually harassed, you have just as much legal right to representation as a woman does. Men and women can be both victims and perpetrators of sexual harassment.

You Are Not Alone

Statistics likely paint an incomplete picture of sexual harassment suffered by men. Many men are hesitant to report sexual harassment because they fear being not believed, or worse, mocked. However, more and more men are coming forward with tales of hostile environment or quid pro quo sexual harassment. If you fear that your employer will not take your sexual harassment claim seriously, a qualified sexual harassment attorney can help you take the next steps.

You Can Take Action to Protect Yourself and Your Career

If you are a victim of sexual harassment, do not hesitate to take action. Follow your company or organization’s procedure for filing a sexual harassment complaint first. If your employer fails to take reasonable action to stop the harassment, you may need to file a complaint with the Equal Opportunity Commission or Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and contact an attorney.

Let Us Help

To speak with an experienced and compassionate Pittsburgh sexual harassment attorney from Colianni & Leonard LLC, call 412-680-7877 today. We will review your case and help you determine the best course of action for moving forward.

Sources:

https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/more-men-report-sexual-harassment-at-work-hot-jobs

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/media-spotlight/201505/when-men-face-sexual-harassment