Obstacles in Identifying Sexual Harassment in Academia

Insights from Five European Countries

Bibliographic Data

ID12801732
AuthorsMika Hagerlid (0000-0003-3124-8204, Malmö University, corresponding author), Aleksandar Štulhofer (0000-0001-5138-3644, University of Zagreb), Anita Redert (0009-0002-9762-2537, Rutgers Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights), Irma Jakić (University of Zagreb), Wiebke Schoon (0000-0003-0317-0227, Universität Hamburg), Melina Westermann (University of Wuppertal), Cynthia Deverchin (KU Leuven), Hanneke de Graaf (0000-0002-2350-0230, Rutgers Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights), Erick Janssen (0000-0002-0049-0703, KU Leuven), Lotta Löfgren-Mårtenson (0000-0002-0297-0591, Malmö University)
Year2023
Volume21
Issue4
Pages1515-1529
Publication date2023-09-22
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSexuality Research and Social Policy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1553-6610 • E-ISSN: 1868-9884
PublisherSpringer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1007/s13178-023-00870-8
OpenAlexW4386966965
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited15

Introduction Experiences of sexual harassment are common among university students. At the same time, research shows that victims and bystanders find it difficult to determine when an incident meets the criteria for sexual harassment. The aim of this study therefore was to obtain a richer and deeper understanding of the obstacles that university students encounter in identifying sexual harassment in the academic environment. Methods Individual interviews and focus groups were conducted with a total of 85 students at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level in five European countries (Belgium, Croatia, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden) between 2020 and 2022. Thematic analysis was used to identify obstacles in identifying sexual harassment. Results The obstacles described by participants were found to fall into three main categories: (1) preconceived notions about what constitutes sexual harassment that did not necessarily concur with lived experiences, (2) navigating an often blurred or ambiguous line between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour and (3) the existence of competing interpretations of what had happened. Conclusions The results point to a gap between the participants’ lived experiences and their interpretations of them, which include difficulties positioning their experiences within their theoretical understanding of sexual harassment. Policy Implications Measures to counteract the obstacles faced by victims and bystanders in identifying sexual harassment in academia should target this cognitive gap, for instance by addressing the stereotypes that characterize preconceived notions about sexual harassment

Bachelor · Criminology · Harassment · Political science · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Law · Legal Issues in Education · Psychology · Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies · Social Psychology · Workplace Violence and Bullying

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