Sexual Harassment (Essay Sample)

Sexual Harassment Name Institution Affiliation Abstract Implementing an anti-harassment policy in any institution or workplace does not guarantee that there will be no harassment complaints. It however, implies that having an effective policy and procedures, propelled by anti-harassment training for all the staff, will aid in preventing or minimizing harassment complaints. The individuals who undergo harassment should also receive support to come forward and ensure that the problem is effectively dealt with. This paper discusses the various methods and circumstances that influence the design of an anti-sexual harassment policy and how the policy aim at addressing individual differences. Empirical evaluations of adaptive policies and various levels of implementing the policy are created to create a platform for future design and development of the anti-harassment policy. Keywords: sexual harassment, policy, individual differences Introduction Sexual harassment does not have a distinct definition thus the existence many definitions depending on the situation or location. Sexual harassment is considered as any unpleasant or unwanted sexual behavior that may make an individual feel offended, intimidated or humiliated. Due to the nature of sexual harassment it cannot be classified as friendship or mode of interaction of mutual or consensual nature. Typically sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination. According to The Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth), sexual harassment is unlawful in some circumstances ("Sexual harassment | Australian Human Rights Commission", 2016). Despite the fact that the sexual harassment has been outlawed for over 25 years, it still is a problem in some states such as Australia. Most of those affected by sexual harassment are women at the rate of 1 in 5 experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace at some time. However, men also do experience sexual harassment although at a lower rate of 1 in 20 men as compared to the women ("Sexual harassment | Australian Human Rights Commission", 2016). Dougherty, & Meyer (2016), argues that sexual harassment is constructed by all the employees, but not those involved in the harassing situation. The power interactions between the employees are often formed through dialogue within an organization. According to Alagappar, & Marican (2014), the process of forming the discourse within the organization takes place in the form of (a) a sender presuming power in the interaction with the recipient, (b) an interaction that involves a series of phrases that are subject to multiple meanings that are sexualized, (c) a sender trying to direct the work relationship into a personal relationship, and (d), the recipient not willing to accept the personal relationship. This pattern where the power relationship is experienced and carried out within the sexually harassing interaction implies that communication is the most basic platform through which sexual harassment is expressed. In addition communication also forms the most conducive platform for implementing policies suitable for eliminating sexual harassment (Merkin, 2012). Recent studies and survey’s findings indicate that younger women are most likely less powerful due to the fact that they generally have fewer resources and their chances of getting married are very few. Young workers according to Dionisi, Barling, & Dupré (2012), are more at risk of experiencing workplace violence. With respect to such findings show that the younger respondents are at a greater risk of experiencing sexual harassment (Lowry, Moody, Galletta, & Vance, 2013). Hendrix, (2000), indicates that sexual harassment was reported to be most suffered by those aged between 25 and 35 years. In addition women targets in the 16-34 years range are most likely to be harassed, with the probability of experiencing sexual harassment decreasing with age. Sexual harassment is not related to age in both the youngest and the middle age are the most vulnerable. As indicated by the 2001 Hostile Hallways: Bullying, Teasing, and Sexual Harassment in School report by the American Association of University Women, eight in 10 students encounter some type of sexual harassment amid their school lives(Gruber, & Fineran, 2015). Research indicates that sexual harassment has negative influences on studnets’ passionate and educational lives. Almost half (47%) of all students who experience sexual harassment feel exceptionally or to some degree annoy right subsequently. Students who experience sexual harrasment will probably react by dodging the individual who irritated or bothered them (40%), talking less in class (24%), not having any desire to go to class (22%), changing their seat in class to make tracks in an opposite direction from somebody (21%), and thinking that it is difficult to focus in school (20%). Sexual Harassment Prevention Program (SHPP) Sexual Harassment Prevention Program (SHPP), is a program designed with the aim of educating children and students in schools about sexual harassment. The sexual attempts to provide students with information regarding sexual harassment so as to minimize the incidences of sexual harassment. The program also aims at helping those experiencing sexual harassment to gain access to the appropriate assistance by reporting to adults, and help in upholding respectful behaviors with peers. The Hostile Hallways report indicates that any individual especially students who experiences sexual harassment usually suffers both academically and educationally. The Sexual Harassment Prevention Program is built on the belief that the reduction of the incidence of sexual harassment and helping those students that undergo sexual harassment have access to the necessary help, it is in building up the community. In addition, the program upholds that helping the victims of sexual harassment makes the environment a safe and supportive one especially in schools and workplace. A sexually abused individual either a student or an employee of any organization cannot perform to the fullest potential and they may also not feel safe in their location. In the case of schools, if education is jeopardized, the potential long term consequences can include unemployment, low-wage jobs without any chances for advancement of career and major economic insecurities. This program is believed to encourage a safe learning and working environment where individuals can perform to their fullest potential. Adaptive methods Adaptive techniques and methods are the most favorable ways through which to implement the program successfully. However, for the program to be a success there needs to be some adjustments made within the school or workplace. Various factors such as background of the targets, the knowledge on sexual harassment and preferences are key to making it a success. A good program policy should be friendly to the target population. The policy should be such that the target population can easily it suits the social context and assessment and evaluation can easily be done to evaluate its success. SHPP presentation This refers to the best way of presenting and implementing the SHPP. In program presentation various factors such as sequence, resources and difficulty should be put into consideration. Successful presentation of SHPP depends on the prior knowledge and other personal information of the target population on sexual harassment. A good program should be adaptive such that it incorporates the use of strategies to make changes to the immediate environment. SHPP, looks forward to being adaptive to ensure that the students and employees acquire the intended knowledge or skills to be taught. Instructional Activities Adaptive instructional activities include all the instructional approaches that will help and support the target group and increase their engagement with the SHPP. Adaptive SHPP support involves personalized help offered to each and every individual participating in the program. SHPP also aims at getting feedback to evaluate whether there I any progress with its implementation. Empirical Evaluations of SHPP This sexual harassment prevention program attempts to provide the target group with the necessary information about sexual harassment in order to reduce the incidences of sexual harassment. Moreover, the program also aims at encouraging the participants going through any form of sexual harassment to get help by reporting the incidence to the relevant authorities. The program is articulated to promote respectful behaviors between peers and help friends experiencing sexual harassment. 33% of adolescent delinquents, 40% of sexual guilty parties and 76% of serial rapists report they were sexually manhandled as youths. The suicide rate among sexually manhandled young men was one and a half to 14 times higher, and reports of various substance misuse among 6th grade young men who were attacked was 12 to 40 times more prominent (Homma, Wang, Saewyc, & Kishor, 2012). In one large study, one in five ladies had encountered past youth sexual abuse. The study additionally affirmed that past adolescence sexual abuse is connected with grow...