Sexual harassment is an issue that can plague any worker in Kansas – either male or female. Men may be victims of sexual harassment statistically less often than women, but that does not mean they are safe from this type of wrongdoing in the workplace. If you experience sexual harassment at work as a man, you may need an attorney to help you file a claim.
What Does Sexual Harassment Look Like?
Sexual harassment refers to someone at your job, such as a coworker, manager or customer, harassing you or taking adverse employment action against you because of your sex. This may mean making sexual advances or discrimination against you based on sex, sexual identity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and other protected characteristics. Examples of sexual harassment include:
- Someone in the office making a lewd comment about your appearance.
- Crude or offensive jokes or remarks in a workplace setting.
- Requests for sexual favors in exchange for job promotions or benefits.
- A supervisor threatening your career if you do not consent to sexual requests.
- Being discriminated against because you are a man or transsexual man.
- A male or female coworker touching you inappropriately or committing sexual assault.
- Sexually explicit materials being sent to you via text message or email.
Sexual harassment can be physical, verbal or visual. The two main types of workplace sexual harassment are quid pro quo and hostile work environment. Quid pro quo is “this for that” sexual harassment, where a victim is offered something in exchange for complying with sexual requests or favors. A hostile work environment is one where a victim feels threatened, unsafe, unwelcome or unproductive due to sexual harassment behaviors.
How Common Is Male Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment is not a problem that exclusively targets females. Many men experience harmful sexual harassment at work each year. Unfortunately, male sexual harassment is reported less often, as many victims suffer in silence. This impacts the statistics available regarding sexual harassment against male workers, making it difficult to truly understand the size of the issue.
Data from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission shows that more than one-fifth (21.8 percent) of sexual harassment charges from 2018 to 2021 were filed by men, and 37.8 percent of all types of harassment charges were filed by male victims. In addition, Rainn.org reports that approximately 1 in every 10 victims of rape are male. Other statistics show that about 14 percent of reported rapes involve male victims, and that 1 in 6 sexual assault reports are against young boys.
Unique Challenges for Male Victims of Sexual Harassment
Male victims of sexual harassment can face different challenges than females when coming forward with their reports, complaints and lawsuits. While they can experience the same negative effects, including adverse employment action, lost wages, psychological and emotional harm, post-traumatic stress disorder, feelings of guilt and shame, and fear or anger, they may be less inclined to report the incident and seek help.
When men experience sexual harassment and sexual violence, they may have an especially difficult time coming forward due to social stigmas involving men and sex crimes. They may be silenced by strong feelings of shame or self-doubt, such as thoughts that they should have been able to fight off the perpetrator. Other men may deal with issues surrounding sexual identity after being sexually assaulted. These issues can get in the way of men reporting workplace sexual harassment and getting the justice they deserve.
Getting Help for Male Sexual Harassment in Kansas
If you are a male victim of sexual harassment in Kansas, help is available at DRZ Law. We will listen to your story and believe you. Our attorneys can help you take legal action against the perpetrator and/or your employer in pursuit of financial compensation for the losses that you suffered due to sexual harassment. This may include lost wages, pain and suffering, and medical or therapy bills. Contact our sexual harassment attorneys today for a free and confidential case consultation.