Call harassment what it is: rape

The recent murders of women in Johannesburg have sparked a national outcry over gender-based violence and femicide. In this context, stories about sexual harassment in the workplace have emerged, highlighting the shocking reality faced by many working women around the globe. Two such cases involve a junior employee at a municipality in Gauteng and a high-flying entertainment industry executive, both of whom were pressured by their male bosses into having sex.

Both women resisted the advances, and as a result, their careers suffered significantly. Their experiences reveal that the perpetrators targeted them for abuse due to their positions of power over the women. The crime, according to prosecutors, is rooted in power rather than lust, as it is driven by the perpetrator's desire to coerce and control their victims. Sexual pleasure, whether sexual or otherwise, cannot be derived from causing revulsion and coercion in another person.

The concept of consent is crucial in any sexual activity, and if one party is not consenting, it is classified as rape. Therefore, sexual harassment in the workplace, regardless of whether the victim ultimately complies, is still a form of rape. Young women entering their careers are often at a disadvantage, facing limited employment opportunities and desperation to maintain their jobs.

If society begins to view workplace sexual harassment as the severe crime it is – rape – perhaps men would recognize the gravity of their actions and the criminal nature of their behavior.