This slide on types of sexual harassment is so important. So many people think it only counts if it’s one kind. Also note: many of these types are about creating a perception about the victim: that they’re weak, or that they actually want or rely on the attention.
Text on slide is about 4 types of sexual harassment:
Earnest: truly attracted, but won’t take “no”
Hostile: Desire to dominate women he sees as competitive with him
Paternalistic: “fatherly”, thinks he’s benevolent
Competitive: real attraction, and hostile desire to dominate
Earnest: truly attracted, but won’t take “no”
Hostile: Desire to dominate women he sees as competitive with him
Paternalistic: “fatherly”, thinks he’s benevolent
Competitive: real attraction, and hostile desire to dominate
I’ve been in the workforce for 18 years, and in science for 11. I’ve seen each of these types (often multiple from the same perpetrator). Vast majority from men in positions of power.
I think it’s important to note that people displaying these behaviors will often rope others (men and women alike) in on bullying and/or “punishing” their victims, because the perpetrators controlled the narrative.
How?
Earnest: But I didn’t know/she didn’t say no aggressively enough
Hostile: attacks on her character, she’s “crazy” etc.
Paternalistic: she’s overreacting, he’s “just trying to help”, she doesn’t understand
Competitive: She’s “using her looks”, manipulating men, etc.
Earnest: But I didn’t know/she didn’t say no aggressively enough
Hostile: attacks on her character, she’s “crazy” etc.
Paternalistic: she’s overreacting, he’s “just trying to help”, she doesn’t understand
Competitive: She’s “using her looks”, manipulating men, etc.
It is extremely important to call our colleagues when you hear them making comments like these - they often indicate misbehavior on the part of the person speaking (or reliance on gossip from a perpetrator). Harassment relies on gossip and perception.
