Oftentimes, people who are experiencing sexual harassment on the job will not report it. This sometimes becomes clear when one person finally comes forward to make their report, and others join in, indicating that similar things have been happening to them for months or even years.
But why is it that people do not take this next step and report harassment on their own, even when they know they should not be treated that way at work?
The economic impact
First and foremost, many people are worried that it will have an adverse impact on their career, and thus on their financial future. For example, someone may be a single parent who is raising two children. It is absolutely critical to them that they keep their job.
If they make a report, they are worried that they are going to be fired in retaliation. They may be concerned about having their hours or wages cut. It does not seem like it is worth the risk.
Other people also worry that no one will take their reports seriously. They do not think anyone will listen or believe them, and they may fear being blamed. They may even worry that they will be labeled a troublemaker or blackballed within their specific industry. In other words, they are not sure there is going to be an upside, and they do not want to risk these negative ramifications.
What options do you have?
The important thing to remember is that, from a legal perspective, retaliation for making a report is also illegal. Your employer cannot legally fire you or cut your hours for reporting sexual harassment. That is why it is so important to understand what protections you have and what steps to take.