WORKPLACE SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE UNITED STATES

Alex Nailal Muna

13020119130096

Academic Writing B

[email protected]

Abstract

The workplace is one of the places where sexual harassment is still common. This in
addition to harming the victim, the workplace will also be harmed. One of the
victims' losses is the economic aspect. There are many things to pay for. With this
study, it is hoped that people will become more aware of this problem. Mainly for
workers because the main focus experienced by victims is at work. Non-participant
observation is the method used to obtain the data needed by the author. News
originating from internet pages is the main source, so the author must also be careful
in looking at the validity of the data. In the results of this study, researchers found
that the fees paid were not small. These costs include the cost of therapy, living
expenses, and advocates. It is undeniable that the costs incurred after experiencing a
sexual harassment incident are far greater than the costs of not experiencing the
problem.

Keywords: workplace, sexual harassment, workers, economy, cost, psychology,

living, advocates, United States.

INTRODUCTION

Sexual Harassment occurred without knowing the place, where one of them is at
the workplace. Many workplaces are unconcerned about the importance of addressing
sexual harassment in the workplace. One of the most surprising findings is that sexual
harassment in the workplace is mostly perpetrated by the manager against his
employees. If the situation is investigated, there will be a slew of unpleasant
consequences that will affect the workplace. The company's bad reputation is one of
them. Aside from that, the consistency of the victim's performance would have a
significant impact.

Workplace sexual harassment has been studied by several researchers. Heather,

Christopher, and Amy (2012) studied sexual harassment, workplace authority, and the
paradox of power. Joni Hersch (2015) observed about sexual harassment in the
workplace: despite being illegal, costly, and an affront to dignity, sexual harassment
is pervasive and challenging to eliminate. Kenneth C. Barker (2017) examined Sexual
Harassment Experience, Psychological Climate, and Sex Effect on Perception of
Safety.

Although many studies have been done on workplace sexual harassment, either
examined the kinds of work that occur most frequently happened sexual harassment,
the preventive ways upon sexual harassment, the effect of the victim which cover the
physical or the psychological, or even impact to the company, etc. But, there is little
information about the economic effect on the victim.

The purpose of this study is to get to know quite deeply about the economic effect
against the victim of sexual harassment. This article will spell out the reason behind
the victim’s need to spend more money for this kind of thing than non-victim. And
answer the question about what thing they spend the money are for.

The results of this study may be very useful for everyone, especially for the
officer. Those things will take a lot of disadvantages. And it is hoped that after
reading this article, the officer ought to realize the importance to have a preventive
way before this bad thing occurred.
METHOD

This research uses the quantitative approach. Quantitative research is basically

applied to the collection of data that is structured and which could be represented
numerically according to Matthews & Ross (2010). In pursuance with Fellows and
Liu (2008), quantitative research is typically adopted because they are a scientific
method and provide immediate results.

The method of data collection techniques in this study, researchers used non-
participant observation. According to Liu & Maitlis (2010), non-participant
observation is often used in conjunction with other data collection methods and can
offer a more "nuanced and dynamic" appreciation of situations that cannot be easily
captured by other methods. Sources of data are collected from several news in the
website of internet and journals. In analyzing data, several processes are: 1)
Searching for data, 2) Reviewing data that has been found, 3) Identifying, and 4)
Concluding data analysis.

The data analyzed includes details of the costs incurred by victims of sexual
harassment such as the cost to go to therapy, daily needs, and the cost to hire an
advocate. The search is carried out using the keywords listed in the abstract to
facilitate the search for relevant topics and stay on the desired line.

In selecting data, the author prefers data analyzed in the last few years. This is
done because the authors feel that in discussing costs, the longer the time range
chosen, the data tend to be less relevant. As days go by, the price of goods or services
increases as well.

The bullet points covered in this article include a slightly more detailed price list.
After providing some details of the price, the author also explains the factors that
determine the price difference. In addition, the author also explains why it is
important for them to spend money on such things.
RESULT

The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) limits

sexual harassment as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and
other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that interferes with one’s
employment or work performance or creates a hostile or offensive work environment
(U.S. EEOC 2011).

In Graphic 1, which is sourced from data belonging to the EEOC, it can be seen
that in each year there is no significant decrease in the number of cases. If observed,
women become the most targeted cases of sexual harassment. The most decrease in
female cases was from 2018 to 2019 by 1.9%. Meanwhile, cases received by men
have decreased for 3 years in a row, but in 2019 there was an increase of 0.9%. The
last one is experienced by the other. The word “other” refers to all gender-based
categories of pregnancy, transgender, and sexual orientation. The percentage of other
is not stable. In 2018 it decreased by 0.8% and can be said quite a lot. Meanwhile, in
2019 the number of cases increased more than in the case of a decrease, which is
about 1%.

Graphic 1: Sexual Harassment Receipts by Sex 2015-2019

 One of the legend cases of sexual harassment that ever occurred in the United
States was in 1976. However, the trial confirmation of the case began in 1991. The
case was a mattress from Thomas who said indecent and was considered to have
harassed Anita Hill when they were working together. The case was almost
disapproved by the Senate due to the lack of solid evidence and Thomas denied this.
After the lawsuit, the number of reported cases of sexual harassment increased by
50%.

The phenomenon of those things certainly harms the victim. A lot of effects will
come into the victim, either it short term effect or long term effect. On the
psychological side, several of the victims will experience anxiety, depression, self-
destructive behavior, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), rape trauma syndrome,
etc. It matter can affect their work ethic or behavior. Few of them also decide to
resign from the company. So, it can influence their economic side. Besides, the
several effects that have been told above also need medical care.

Cited from the CDC's rape economic burden estimate, in the United States, sexual
harassment seems to be a dangerous and expensive public health issue. During the
lifespan of all 25 million sexual harassment survivors in the United States, rape loses
upwards of $122,000 per survivor and almost $3.1 trillion to the economy. With
almost 25 million rape survivors in the United States now, we may pay more than $3
trillion on health care, criminal justice response, lost benefits, and other expenses
over their lifespan. Sexual abuse has far-reaching consequences and costs that go
beyond the immediate repercussions on victims and perpetrators. The following
discussion will explain in more detail the number of costs incurred for each victim's
needs.

The first thing that usually victims will feel is their mental health that is not okay.
Psychological support is what most survivors need in this phenomenon. The role of
the psychiatrist or therapist is at the forefront. To carry out their duties, it is important
to watch out for every of their behavior. How to act and respond to the survivor, so
that hoped to make the inspection run without any problem. That matter is not easy
anymore, therefore very much needed professional experts. It is undeniable that the
more professional people provide services, the more expensive it will be.

Cost is something that is ingrained in people's minds when going to therapy.

According to the Austin Trauma Therapy Center, PLLC, on July 4, 2020, reported
that for most of the United States people think that the price range they will spend is
around $100-$200 per session. However, the fact remains that most regions of the
country charge therapy in the $75-$150 per session. In some other areas of the
country, therapy costs can be in the range of over $200 per session. However, as we
discussed earlier, the high cost is proportional to the expertise of a very professional
expert.

Several things affect a person's low or high price to pay for therapy such as
depending on expertise in the field, education level, office location, etc. However, it
must be underlined that this is without the use of insurance costs. The way that can be
executed to use insurance costs is that you just tell the therapy office that you visit,
then they will immediately make a ledger that will be sent to the insurance company
for a replacement. Many people are still concerned about the cost when they want to
come to therapy. In fact, in some areas, there is already available low-cost therapy
owned by mental health institutions.

To register for insurance, one of the requirements for insurance registrants is to

have a mental health diagnosis. If after that they want to pay for therapy through
insurance, then they must pay co-pay at first. The price range for therapy payers when
using insurance is various. Some of them will cost a few dollars to 50$ or even more.

As technology develops, therapy is also available online. The average cost for
online therapy is $50-$100 per session. However, it comes back to how you pay for
it, whether you use insurance or not. It is true that when compared to online therapy,
the cost of therapy is much more affordable than non-online therapy. Many people
also wonder about the existence of free therapy. In this regard, it is quite rare. There
are only a few specific ways to get it. Ways such as contacting the health department,
visiting a novice therapist who needs experience, or even visiting a university clinic.

Apart from the mental health issue, the impact of sexual harassment on the victim
will also certainly affect the performance of the victim. Some of them decided to quit
and decided to leave their jobs after the unfortunate incident. Some of them are also
traumatized to go back to work because of the fear that the same thing will happen to
them again. This decision is a way for them to feel safe. The impact after making
these decisions can make them unproductive. They no longer have jobs which also
means that they will not get paid. Even though there are many costs that they have to
pay, mainly the daily costs. Maybe for therapy, they can still get the insurance that
can relieve them, even then they still have to pay. In the long term, the savings will
also run out because there are only expenses but no income. Moreover, in meeting
daily needs must use personal costs and there is no insurance.

The cost of living needs to be met because it is a way to survive. The cost of
living includes food, housing, clothes, transportation, personal care, entertainment,
etc. The cost of living in the U.S. varies greatly, depending on the area you live in.
According to the World Population Review in Table 1, Mississippi ranks as the
lowest cost of the living region the U.S. Then followed by Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Meanwhile, the area with the highest cost of living in the U.S. is occupied by Hawaii
at the top. Food ingredients there are also much more expensive. This is because most
of the goods have to be shipped from outside since as we all know Hawaii is an
island. New York, is ranked fifth as a region with a high cost of living. Groceries,
transportation, and utilities are all above the US average, but not by a large margin.
The table below is more complete data on the cost of living in areas in the U.S.

Table 1: The Cost of Living in U.S. 2021

 Cost
State Index Grocery Housing Utilities Transportation Misc

Mississippi 86.1 93.1 66.7 91.8 89.9 92

Arkansas 86.9 90.7 75.2 92.7 86.1 95.7

Oklahoma 87 94.1 70.1 95.8 91.3 92.5

Missouri 87.1 97.6 71.6 97.5 93.9 94.3

New Mexico 87.5 99.7 80.4 89.9 93 90.8

Tennessee 88.7 94.5 82.6 92.2 87.7 94.4

Michigan 88.9 92 76 99.7 104.3 95.5

Kansas 89 92.8 71.8 99.4 94.8 92.3

Georgia 89.2 104.2 71.3 91.3 97 96.2

Wyoming 89.3 104.6 87.7 87.2 84.8 102.6

Alabama 89.3 95.1 70.2 103.3 92.3 97.5

Indiana 90 97.8 76.5 97.5 99.4 95.7

Iowa 90.1 92.3 78.3 97 99.1 96.7

Ohio 90.8 98.1 78 90.6 102.2 100

Nebraska 90.8 97.8 83.7 89.5 96.1 96.5

Kentucky 90.9 91 81.6 97.3 97.9 102.6

West Virginia 91.1 95.4 81.7 90.3 85.4 101.5

Texas 91.5 89.9 85.9 102.3 92.2 95

Idaho 92.3 167.7 90.7 82.6 103.4 97.7

Louisiana 93.9 97.7 86.8 87.5 96.396 97

Illinois 94.5 92.7 87 96.8 107.7 98.1

North 94.9 98.4 84.1 99.3 94 101.1

Carolina

South 95.9 102.1 84.9 106.3 91.5 100.2

Carolina

Arizona 97 99.4 102 112.3 105.9 97.9

Wisconsin 97.3 97.4 88.7 98.2 100.3 97.9

Florida 97.9 115.8 96.8 101.1 99.1 98.3

Utah 98.4 98.3 93.9 92.7 103.1 99.7

North Dakota 98.8 103.5 91.5 90.5 105.3 96.5

South Dakota 99.8 98.7 101 87.9 95.1 95.4

Virginia 100.7 97.1 112.1 99 91.9 98.8

Minnesota 101.6 105.5 89.2 98.7 100.6 108.4

Pennsylvania 101.7 105.2 99.4 109.5 109.8 99.4

Colorado 105.6 99.2 119.6 87.6 101.5 101.7

Montana 106.9 101.1 102 86.2 94.2 100.1

Delaware 108.1 119.9 100.6 94.6 103.6 114.7

Nevada 108.5 106.5 119.2 93.3 120.3 103.3

New 109.7 100.4 110.3 114 98.2 109.7

Hampshire

Washington 110.7 108.2 118.8 90.1 116.6 109.9

Vermont 114.5 112.2 137.2 118.4 112.4 103.3

Maine 117.5 104.9 134.2 107.6 101.5 113

Rhode Island 119.4 108 132.3 127 106.1 116.7

New Jersey 125.1 108.2 149.3 98.3 107.2 108.5

Connecticut 127.7 107.7 142.2 132.9 112.6 121.6

Maryland 129.7 114.6 180.2 108.6 107.1 108.9

Alaska 129.9 132.4 134.3 159.5 117.8 112.8

Massachusetts 131.6 114.5 173.6 108.9 110.1 121.4

Oregon 134.2 113.8 184.8 87.5 129.4 120

New York 139.1 113.4 197.5 102.8 105 112

California 151.7 117.3 196.5 122.2 132.4 110.8

Hawaii 192.9 99 336.2 189.5 138.8 125.3

After two important things, namely mental health and living costs, reporting cases
experienced to the police is one way to make victims feel safer. According to the best
current evidence, criminal incidence costs the United States $450 billion each year
(National Institute of Justice, 1996). Harassment has been the most expensive among
all felonies, costing an estimated $127 billion every year. Researchers found that each
rape cost around $151,423 in 2008. (DeLisi, 2010).

59% of victims of harassment who came with an advocate were more likely to
have their report taken by the police than victims of harassment who reported without
an advocate. The effects of victims of abuse, when accompanied by advocates, can be
seen clearly. When advocates come to legal as well as medical proceedings after
abuse, then in the short term or even the long term, the victim will feel much better.
All the things he experiences such as frequent self-blame, very risky behavior, mental
stress, bad physical health will be reduced.

There are many advantages if the victim brings an advocate in their case. One of
the advantages is that they will receive critical service. This includes, for example,
referrals to community-based services, information related to illness or mental illness,
and definitely assistance in reporting to the police. Victims get some of these things
as soon as they contact their designated advocate.

As in the previous discussion on therapy costs, the same applies to advocate rates.
The more experience and types of cases mastered, the more expensive the fee will be.
Reporting from Thervo, the cost incurred to advocate per hour is approximate $100-
$400. A price range of $100 to $200 per hour is the average fee for lawyers residing
in small towns. That cost range also usually gets a lawyer who is in training.
Meanwhile, prices of $200-$400 per hour apply to lawyers in the metropolitan area.
Their position in the law firm where they work also affects the rates paid.

After reading about the costs incurred by victims of harassment, of course, this is
very detrimental to the victim. Prevention is a way that must be implemented so that
cases of sexual harassment in the office do not happen again. Today, there are many
offers in the U.S. regarding sexual harassment prevention training programs in
organizations or the workplace. The program contains sexual harassment education
for workers. The materials offered include telling the form and meaning of
harassment, providing guidance on steps to deal with harassment, what to do for
victims of harassment and perpetrators. In addition, a simple thing that is often
overlooked is making and providing proper facilities. An example is having good
lighting in the workplace.

Clearly, the findings indicate that victims of sexual harassment suffer a great deal
of harm. The losses experienced are related to each other. Losses can have a very
long impact in economic terms. Therefore, preventive measures to follow up on cases
of sexual harassment must be implemented. It can start with ourselves.

DISCUSSION
 Sexual harassment is a very frightening specter. One of them is for workers in the
United States. This isn’t because without reason, many cases of sexual harassment in
the workplace have been reported or have even seen the incident. The reason people
bravely commit sexual harassment in the workplace is because the perpetrator feels
there is no strong law to regulate it in its place. In addition, joking is usually used as
an excuse for the perpetrators to protect themselves when accused. This proves that
workplace awareness to educate or make special regulations on sexual harassment in
the workplace has not become something very important.

The results of the study indicate that several impacts will be felt by victims of
abuse. One of the perceived impacts is the economic sector. A lot of costs must be
incurred by a victim of sexual harassment when compared to non-victims. The costs
incurred for victims of sexual harassment in the United States are not cheap. These
costs include things like health care, criminal justice response, lost productivity, and
other costs. Health care is needed for victims because, after an unwanted incident, the
victim will usually experience physical or mental illness. However, most victims tend
to experience more mental illnesses like anxiety, trauma, depression, etc. Therapy is
the solution to that problem. Loss of productivity is also something that the victim
accepts. They are traumatized by the situation and choose to quit their jobs.
Advocates are also included in the list because reporting cases to the police will be
more visible if they are accompanied by advocates.

After looking at these things, it can be concluded that the losses suffered are not
only about their health but also the economic losses that will be felt by victims of
sexual harassment. When compared to non-victims, this is very much different
because they do not have to pay some of the costs. The cost of living is actually
already included in the expenses before there was an incident of sexual harassment
for the victim. However, because many of the victims decided to resign from their
workplaces, they no longer received any income. The savings they have to support
these costs will run out shortly. In the end, they inevitably have to work to make ends
meet again.

In this study, the authors present each data issued from different websites and
some also come from different years. So it is very possible for other researchers to
develop the results of this study. The survey method can be an alternative way to get
data at a certain time. The reason is that time is the main thing in this study because,
over time, the costs incurred will usually go up or down, uncertainly. So it can be
compared from year to year. In addition, other researchers are also expected to
provide other more effective solutions to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that the existence of sexual harassment is very detrimental to

the victim. Economic factors will affect the incident. Even health factors are also tied
to economic factors. The victim has to spend a lot of money. These expenses are
sometimes not matched by income. The problem was because their workplace
became an uncomfortable place and resigning was the right decision for them. If they
do not work then their income is 0. Even though the money that must be spent is not
like a normal day before the victim is sexually harassed. It is ten thousand times more
expensive. The things are health costs, living expenses, and advocate fees.

It is hoped that after this article people will become more aware that sexual
harassment is a serious problem, not just a joke. Preventive measures must be taken
to avoid this unpleasant phenomenon. Because the domain is in the workplace,
superiors are required to be more aware of how to prevent it. If not, then the work
environment will also have an effect. The work ethic of the workers may decrease
because there is bound to be a sense of fear among the workers. This will affect their
performance and also affect the company. If this happens, the reputation of the
workplace will be considered bad.
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