2 ms·

Isn't sexual harassment rife pretty much everywhere? When you listen to what both men and women have really been subjected to, it's just sad and the prevalence

Isn't sexual harassment rife pretty much everywhere? When you listen to what both men and women have really been subjected to, it's just sad and the prevalence is honestly depressing to me. I even have worked with people who think they're not the type to sexually harass and then see them engaging the behavior unknowingly (basically in denial).

sp332 8y ago
The paper goes into a lot more detail. There are recommendations that have been made that are not being followed. The paper also puts forward some new recommendations based on the types of abuse they found.
rhcom2 8y ago
I think the first step is shine a big, bright light on it at least. #metoo definitely started doing that.
magduf 8y ago
Sorry if this sounds totally naive, but how exactly does someone not know they're sexually harassing someone? If you're propositioning someone, making lewd comments, etc., then how do you not know that that constitutes sexual harassment?
- jupiter90000 8y ago
  That's what confused me about those people too.
- toasterlovin 8y ago
  I don't mean this in any way to dismiss sexual harassment as a non-entity, but in some cases, the difference between flirting and sexual harassment basically entirely comes down to the level of interest that the recipient has. If they're into the perpetrator, it's flirting. If they're not, it's harassment. Given that, surely you can imagine that evolution would favor men who overestimate the degree to which their advances are viewed as favorable by the recipient.
robocat 8y ago
> Isn't sexual harassment rife pretty much everywhere? I wondered the same thing, but a few comments in this thread highlight why postdocs are generally more trapped than employees. Paraphrasing other comments: A PhD student conflicting with their advisor is risking years of effort and their degree. You also can't just switch departments without losing a lot of progress (if it is possible at all). "If the postdocs want good recommendations, they better keep their mouths shut". Many postdocs are international students. It is very hard to change jobs as a student on a F-1 visa.

sp332 8y ago

The paper goes into a lot more detail. There are recommendations that have been made that are not being followed. The paper also puts forward some new recommendations based on the types of abuse they found.

rhcom2 8y ago

I think the first step is shine a big, bright light on it at least. #metoo definitely started doing that.

magduf 8y ago

Sorry if this sounds totally naive, but how exactly does someone not know they're sexually harassing someone? If you're propositioning someone, making lewd comments, etc., then how do you not know that that constitutes sexual harassment?

jupiter90000 8y ago
That's what confused me about those people too.
toasterlovin 8y ago
I don't mean this in any way to dismiss sexual harassment as a non-entity, but in some cases, the difference between flirting and sexual harassment basically entirely comes down to the level of interest that the recipient has. If they're into the perpetrator, it's flirting. If they're not, it's harassment. Given that, surely you can imagine that evolution would favor men who overestimate the degree to which their advances are viewed as favorable by the recipient.

robocat 8y ago

> Isn't sexual harassment rife pretty much everywhere? I wondered the same thing, but a few comments in this thread highlight why postdocs are generally more trapped than employees. Paraphrasing other comments: A PhD student conflicting with their advisor is risking years of effort and their degree. You also can't just switch departments without losing a lot of progress (if it is possible at all). "If the postdocs want good recommendations, they better keep their mouths shut". Many postdocs are international students. It is very hard to change jobs as a student on a F-1 visa.