Sexual harassment: Victim’s ‘silence is biggest hurdle’
Many men in the workplace believe it is their right, says DA.
Sexual harassment remains an underreported and underpunished issue in the South African workplace, according to DA labour spokesperson Michael Bagraim. Bagraim highlighted the difficulties faced by women in coming forward, exacerbated by unemployment and the power imbalance between management and staff. He also pointed out that some men believe they have a right to demand sexual favours, while others use accusations of sexual harassment as a means of revenge against managers attempting to discipline them.
Clinical psychologist Arthi Sukhdeo emphasized that the silence from abused women has been a significant barrier in addressing sexual harassment. However, there is a growing willingness for victims to speak out. Sukhdeo noted that victims of sexual harassment can often experience secondary victimisation from colleagues, particularly if those colleagues have also been victims of violence in their personal lives.
She stressed that sexual harassment should be viewed as a major psychosocial issue that can negatively impact an individual's emotional well-being, sense of safety, dignity, and ability to function effectively at work.
Sukhdeo listed various forms of sexual harassment, including inappropriate comments, sexualized banter, unwanted physical contact, intrusive gestures, and behaviors like hugging, sitting on someone's lap, or placing an arm around their waist without consent. She stressed that the impact of such behaviors should be evaluated based on the recipient's boundaries, consent, and personal experience of the interaction.
Sukhdeo recommended that workplaces establish clear professional boundaries and foster a culture where employees feel empowered to raise concerns without fear of retaliation, intimidation, or blame.
She emphasized that sexual harassment is not about the perpetrator's intentions but about how their behavior affects the other person and whether their boundaries are respected. Sukhdeo asserted that everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and comfortable in their workplace, regardless of gender or seniority. She concluded that intent does not excuse crossing boundaries, and everyone has the right to work in an environment free from harassment.
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