Sexual Harassment—A Global Problem

WORK had become a nightmare for a young secretary named Rena Weeks. True, the law firm that employed her had a prestigious name and offices in over two dozen countries. But she worked for a man who, according to her claim, would not stop grabbing and touching her. The humiliating assaults were punctuated by crude, suggestive speech.

Years ago, women in situations like this had little recourse—except maybe to quit. ‘Her word against his’ would have been the judgment of management. And even those inclined to believe the woman’s side of the story would probably have shrugged off the problem by saying, ‘What’s the big deal?’ But times have changed. Rena Weeks did more than simply get mad and quit. She sued.

A U.S. jury awarded her $50,000 in compensation for her emotional distress, along with $225,000 in punitive damages from her former boss. Then, in a move that got the attention of businesses and law firms all over the world, the jury ordered the law firm to pay a whopping $6.9 million in punitive damages for failing to correct the problem!

The Weeks case is by no means an isolated incident. Another recent lawsuit involved a national (U.S.) chain of discount stores. An employee named Peggy Kimzey claimed that her supervisor had made numerous crude sexual remarks to her. In 1993, Peggy Kimzey resigned from her job and sued. She was awarded $35,000 for humiliation and mental anguish along with a symbolic $1 in lost wages. The jury also decided that her former employer had created a hostile work environment by tolerating the harassment. The punishment? Fifty million dollars in damages!

Says Men’s Health magazine: “Sexual-harassment cases have been multiplying like bacteria. In 1990, the EEOC [Equal Employment Opportunity Commission] handled 6,127 such complaints; by last year [1993] the annual total had nearly doubled to 11,908.”

An Abuse of Power

While staggering jury awards capture headlines, the truth is that few cases ever find their way into a courtroom. Most victims suffer their humiliation in silence—pawns in an ugly game of power and intimidation that is played out in offices, on streets, in buses, at lunch counters, and in factories. At times, there is outright coercion to have intimate relations. Most of the time, though, the molestation consists of subtler, yet shamelessly offensive, acts: unwelcome or inappropriate touches, lewd remarks, lascivious stares.

True, some reject calling such behavior harassment, arguing that it is merely a bungling attempt on the part of some men to attract the attention of the opposite sex. But many, like writer Martha Langelan, reject such attempts to excuse the offensive behavior. She writes: “It is not clumsy courtship, or rude courtship, or joking courtship, or ‘misunderstood’ courtship. It is not meant to appeal to women; it is behavior that serves another function entirely. Like rape, sexual harassment is designed to coerce women, not to attract them. . . . [It] is an expression of power.” Yes, oftentimes such mistreatment is simply another cruel means by which “man has dominated man to his injury.”—Ecclesiastes 8:9; compare Ecclesiastes 4:1.

Women usually react to sexual harassment, not with pleasure, but with feelings ranging from disgust and anger to depression and humiliation. Recalls one victim: “The situation destroyed me. I lost my trust, my confidence, my self-respect, and my career aspirations. My personality drastically changed. I had been happy-go-lucky. I became bitter, withdrawn, and ashamed.” And when the perpetrator is an employer or someone else in power, harassment takes on a particularly ugly appearance.

Little wonder, then, that courts have begun to punish offenders and compensate victims. Since the U.S. Supreme Court defined such mistreatment as a violation of civil rights, employers have increasingly been held legally responsible for maintaining a work environment that is not “hostile or offensive.”

Companies that tolerate sexual harassment may suffer low employee morale, higher absenteeism, lower productivity, and high employee turnover—not to mention financial disaster if victims decide to sue.

How Prevalent?

Just how prevalent is sexual harassment? Surveys indicate that more than half the women in the work force in the United States have experienced it. One book thus claims: “Sexual harassment is a pervasive problem. It happens to women in every profession from waitress to corporate executive. It occurs at every level of the corporate hierarchy and in every kind of business and industry.” However, the problem is hardly limited to the United States. The book Shockwaves: The Global Impact of Sexual Harassment, by Susan L. Webb, cites the following statistics:a

CANADA: “One survey showed that 4 out of 10 women reported being sexually harassed at work.”

JAPAN: “An August 1991 survey showed that 70 percent of the women who responded experienced” harassment at work. “Ninety percent said they were sexually harassed on the way to and from work.”

AUSTRIA: “A 1986 survey showed almost 31 percent of women reported serious harassment incidents.”

FRANCE: “In 1991 a study . . . found that 21 percent of the 1,300 women surveyed said they had personally experienced sexual harassment.”

THE NETHERLANDS: A study showed that “58 percent of the women responding [to the survey] said they had personally experienced sexual harassment.”

A Sign of the Times

Of course, molestation and harassment in the workplace are nothing new. Women—and sometimes men—were subject to such mistreatment even back in Bible times. (Genesis 39:7, 8; Ruth 2:8, 9, 15) But such misbehavior seems to be particularly prevalent today. Why so?

For one thing, in recent years women have entered the job market in record numbers. More women are therefore exposed to situations in which such abuses can occur. However, of even greater significance is what the Bible prophesied long ago: “Remember this! There will be difficult times in the last days. Men will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited; they will be insulting . . . ; they will be unkind, merciless, slanderers, violent, and fierce.” (2 Timothy 3:1-3, Today’s English Version) The prevalence of sexual harassment is just one dramatic proof that these words are being fulfilled today. Interestingly, an article in Men’s Health magazine notes that “the increase in sexual-harassment complaints has been accompanied by an astonishing decline in general civility. Bad manners are everywhere.”

The prevalence of sexual harassment also reflects the “new morality,” which swept the world during the 1960’s. The tearing down of traditional moral boundaries has been accompanied by a shocking disregard for the rights and feelings of others. Whatever its cause, sexual harassment is a grim reality of the workplace. What can men and women do to protect themselves? Will there ever be a time when the workplace will be free of harassment?

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Sexual Harassment—Myth Versus Fact

Myth: Sexual harassment is grossly overreported. It is just another fad, a product of media hype and hysteria.

Fact: By and large, a woman has much to lose and little to gain by reporting victimization. Indeed, only a minority of women (22 percent according to one survey) ever tell anyone that they have been harassed. Fear, embarrassment, self-blame, confusion, and ignorance of their legal rights keep many women silent. Many experts thus believe that the problem is grossly underreported!

Myth: Most women enjoy the attention. Those who claim they have been harassed are merely hypersensitive.

Fact: Surveys consistently show that women take offense at such rude treatment. In one survey, “over two fifths of the women said they felt disgust and about one third said they were angry.” Others reported feeling anxious, hurt, and depressed.

Myth: Men are victimized just as much as women.

Fact: Researchers for the National Association of Working Women (U.S.) report that “an estimated 90 percent of harassment cases involve men who have harassed women, 9 percent are same-sex . . . , and only 1 percent involve women who have harassed men.”

Sexual Harassment—How to Protect Yourself

“NO WOMAN should have to run a daily gauntlet of sexual innuendo,” says magazine editor Gretchen Morgenson, “but neither is it reasonable for women to expect a pristine work environment free of coarse behavior.” Commendably, efforts by employers and the courts to make the workplace safer have yielded some good results. The risk of lawsuit, for example, has moved employers and employees around the world to try to improve the work environment. Many companies have developed in-house procedures for dealing with workplace molestation. Meetings and seminars are held to instruct employees in proper workplace behavior.

Of course, it only makes sense to know and follow company policies and local laws. (Romans 13:1; Titus 2:9) Christians have also found it helpful to apply Bible principles. Following these inspired guidelines in your dealings with your workmates can do much to help you to avoid becoming a victim of sexual harassment—or a perpetrator of it.

Proper Conduct for Men

Consider the matter of how men should treat women. Many experts caution against touching those of the opposite sex. They warn that a friendly pat on the back could easily be misinterpreted. “Juries take touching very seriously,” notes labor lawyer Frank Harty. His suggestion? “If it involves more than shaking hands, don’t do it.” True, the Bible itself makes no blanket rule on this matter.a But in view of the current legal and moral climate, caution is in order—especially for those who have an unconscious tendency to touch as they converse.

Admittedly, such advice is not always easy to follow. Glen, for instance, comes from a Hispanic culture. “Where I come from,” he says, “people are just more prone to hug you than here in the United States. In my family we often greet friends with a kiss, but here we were cautioned not to be too quick to do that.” Bible principles, though, prove helpful in this matter. The apostle Paul told the young man Timothy: “Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” (1 Timothy 5:1, 2, New International Version) Would that not rule out promiscuous, seductive, or unwelcome touching?

That same principle can be applied to speech. Appropriately, the Bible says: “Let fornication and uncleanness of every sort or greediness not even be mentioned among you, just as it befits holy people; neither shameful conduct nor foolish talking nor obscene jesting, things which are not becoming.” (Ephesians 5:3, 4) Sexual-harassment lawyer Kathy Chinoy suggests that before speaking you consider one question: “Would you want your mother, sister, or daughter exposed to that?” Obscene, suggestive talk degrades both the speaker and the hearer.

Preventing Harassment

How can one try to avoid becoming a victim of harassment? The advice Jesus gave his disciples when he sent them out on their first preaching assignment could, perhaps, be applied in this context: “Look! I am sending you forth as sheep amidst wolves; therefore prove yourselves cautious as serpents and yet innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) At any rate, a Christian is not helpless. The Bible assures us: “When wisdom enters into your heart . . . , thinking ability itself will keep guard over you, discernment itself will safeguard you.” (Proverbs 2:10, 11) Let’s, therefore, look at some Bible principles that can help you safeguard yourself.

1. Watch how you conduct yourself with workmates. This does not mean being cold or hostile, for the Bible urges us to “pursue peace with all people.” (Hebrews 12:14; Romans 12:18) But since the Bible does caution Christians to “go on walking in wisdom toward those on the outside,” it makes sense to maintain a businesslike demeanor, especially when dealing with the opposite sex. (Colossians 4:5) The book Talking Back to Sexual Pressure, by Elizabeth Powell, urges workers “to learn a precise line between a pleasant attitude appropriate to their role and the kind of friendliness that could imply sexual openness.”

2. Dress modestly. What you wear sends out a message to others. Back in Bible times, wearing certain styles of clothing branded a person as being immoral or promiscuous. (Proverbs 7:10) The same is often true today; tight, flashy, or revealing clothing can attract the wrong kind of attention. True, some may feel they have a right to wear whatever they desire. But as writer Elizabeth Powell puts it, “if you worked among people who believed stealing money was okay, I’d tell you not to wear your billfold on your hip. . . . You have to recognize the sickness of . . . society’s attitudes and try to protect yourself from being victimized by them.” The Bible’s advice is thus up-to-date. It admonishes women to “adorn themselves in well-arranged dress, with modesty and soundness of mind.” (1 Timothy 2:9) Dress modestly, and you may be less likely to be a target of abusive speech or actions.

3. Watch your associations! The Bible tells us of a young woman named Dinah who became the victim of sexual assault. She evidently attracted the attention of her assailant because she regularly “used to go out to see the daughters of the land” of Canaan—women known for being promiscuous! (Genesis 34:1, 2) Similarly today, if you regularly chat with—or listen to—coworkers who are known for discussing prurient subjects, some might conclude that you would be receptive to sexual advances.

This does not mean you have to snub your workmates. But if the conversation becomes risqué, why not simply excuse yourself? Interestingly, many of Jehovah’s Witnesses have found that having a reputation for high moral standards serves to protect them from harassment.—1 Peter 2:12.

4. Avoid compromising situations. The Bible tells how a young man named Amnon schemed to be alone with a young woman named Tamar so that he could take advantage of her sexually. (2 Samuel 13:1-14) Harassers today may behave similarly, perhaps inviting a subordinate to share an alcoholic drink or to remain at work after hours for no apparent reason. Beware of such invitations! Says the Bible: “Shrewd is the one that has seen the calamity and proceeds to conceal himself.”—Proverbs 22:3.

If You Are Harassed

Of course, some men will make improper advances even when a woman conducts herself impeccably. How should you respond to such advances if you are targeted? Some have recommended simply taking the whole thing in stride! ‘Office sex is the spice of life!’ says one woman. However, far from viewing such inappropriate attention as humorous or flattering, true Christians are repulsed by it. They “abhor what is wicked” and realize that the intent of such advances is usually to lure one into sexual immorality. (Romans 12:9; compare 2 Timothy 3:6.) At the very least, the crude behavior is an affront to their Christian dignity. (Compare 1 Thessalonians 4:7, 8.) How can you handle such situations?

1. Take a stand! The Bible tells us how a God-fearing man named Joseph responded to immoral propositions: “Now after these things it came about that the wife of his master began to raise her eyes toward Joseph and say: ‘Lie down with me.’” Did Joseph simply ignore her overtures, hoping that the problem would go away by itself? On the contrary! The Bible says that he boldly refused her advances, saying: “How could I commit this great badness and actually sin against God?”—Genesis 39:7-9.

Joseph’s actions set a good example for both men and women. Ignoring—or worse yet, being intimidated by—suggestive speech or aggressive behavior rarely makes it go away; if anything, fear or diffidence may cause it to escalate! Rape prevention counselor Martha Langelan cautions that rapists often use sexual harassment as a “way to gauge the likelihood that a woman will fight back in an assault; if she is passive and timid when harassed, they assume she will be passive and terrified when attacked.” It is therefore critical that you take a stand at the first sign of harassment. According to one writer, “saying no immediately and clearly is often enough to make the harasser stop the offensive behavior.”

2. Let your no mean no! Jesus said that in his Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew 5:37) His statement is appropriate for these circumstances, since harassers are often quite persistent. Just how firm do you need to be? That depends on the circumstances and the response of the harasser. Use whatever degree of firmness is necessary to get your point across. In some cases, a simple, direct statement in a calm tone of voice will suffice. Make eye contact. Experts suggest the following: (a) State your feelings. (“I do not like it at all when you . . .”) (b) Specifically name the offensive behavior. (“. . . when you use crude, vulgar language . . .”) (c) Make clear what you want the person to do. (“I want you to stop speaking to me that way!”)

“In no case, however,” Langelan cautions, “does a confrontation step over the line into aggression. Counteraggression (using insults, threats, and verbal abuse, throwing a punch, spitting on a harasser) is counterproductive. Verbal violence is dangerous, and there is no need to use physical violence unless there is an actual physical attack that requires self-defense.” Such practical advice accords with the Bible’s words at Romans 12:17: “Return evil for evil to no one.”

What if the harassment continues in spite of your best efforts to stop it? Some companies have set procedures for dealing with sexual harassment. Often the mere threat of initiating a company grievance procedure will make your harasser leave you alone. Then again, it may not. Sad to say, finding a sympathetic supervisor is not always an easy task for either women or men. Glen, who says he was harassed by a female employee, tried complaining. He recalls: “When I told the boss about it, I got no help at all. In fact, he thought it was hilarious. I just had to watch out for the woman and go out of my way to avoid her.”

Some have tried legal action. But the huge judgments in lawsuits you read about in the media are hardly typical. Besides, the book Talking Back to Sexual Pressure warns: “Legal remedies against harassment require tremendous emotional energy and time; they result in physical as well as mental stress.” With good reason the Bible cautions: “Do not go forth to conduct a legal case hastily.” (Proverbs 25:8) After counting the emotional and spiritual costs of legal action, some have preferred to seek other employment.

The End of Harassment

Sexual harassment is nothing new. It is as universal as the imperfect, scheming, greedy human heart. Commissions and court cases will never rid society of sexual harassment. Getting rid of sexual harassment requires a fundamental change of heart in people.

Today, God’s Word and his spirit are effecting such a change in people the world over. It is as if wolves and lions were learning to behave as lambs and calves, just as foretold by the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 11:6-9) By studying the Bible with people, Jehovah’s Witnesses each year help many thousands of former ‘wolves’ to make deep-seated, lasting personality changes. These people heed the Scriptural command to “put away the old personality which conforms to your former course of conduct” and to replace it with “the new personality which was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty.”—Ephesians 4:22-24.

One day the earth will be filled with men and women who hold to Bible standards. God-fearing people eagerly await that day, when there will be an end to all forms of mistreatment. Until then, they cope as best as they can with today’s ugly realities.

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