Generally it is the low ranking workers who are known to be sexually harassed. But a new study has recently come out stating that women in leadership positions face higher sexual harassment by their male bosses.
Termed as “Paradox of Power” by the researchers, the new study say that rate of sexual harassment of women workers are much higher than the low ranking workers. The report gains significance in the wake of great alert with respect to sexual harassment in workplaces, social networks, government offices and academia.
The study by the Swedish Institute for Social Research at Stockholm University that is now public states that women in leadership positions experienced 30 to 100 per cent more sexual harassment than others. The Researchers had also worked along with the researchers in America and Japan before they came out with their findings. The study was concluded after having responses more than 27,000 women in the last ten years in the US, Sweden and Japan.
Professor of Economics at SOFI Johanna Rickne was quoted as saying that they expected a higher level of sexual harassment in lower positions and added that they were quite surprised to see that women in higher positions experienced much more harassment than the women in lower positions.
One of the reasons for this is that the women in higher positions had to experience harassment from both subordinates and higher ranking employees. The study also finds that the women in top positions will face consequences if any sexual harassment is reported. They might be demoted or even denied promotions, the study finds out.
In elected roles also, the study said that females face harassment. In the study, it has been said that 18 female members of UL Parliament decided not to seek reelection as they had to face abuse from constituents.
The researchers also note that there was a general saying that women would only face less harassment as they have gained stronger positions and also have joined all streams of the workforce. However, it is just the contrary and women still face the same harassment in work places, the study says.
