Sexual harassment in a male dominated workplace

Abstract

In 2000 workplace harassment was studied in the Dutch police force. In 2006 a similar study was conducted in the police force and also in the Dutch army. These studies provide insight into the relation between male dominance and sexual harassment, into the association between sexual harassment and health, and into the impact of policies against sexual harassment. It is shown that women who work in a predominantly male environment, are at risk of sexual harassment. This is mediated by the presence of male dominated cultural norms, Further, it appears that normative male dominance is not only related to sexual harassment, but also to bullying. Sexual harassment has negative health consequences for female and male victims and is difficult to prevent in a male dominated organization.