Can Men Be Sexually Harassed?

There was a short letter published by the LA Times about sexual harassment on airplanes. The author was responding to another article on sexual harassment that, as they pointed out, omitted the fact that men, too, can be sexually harassed.

As the EEOC states, “Both victim and the harasser can be either a woman or a man, and the victim and the harasser can be the same sex.” 

Sexual harassment doesn’t just happen in the workplace, it can happen anywhere. Like the letter to the LA Times pointed out, it can even happen on an airplane. 

The author, a male who sat in the middle seat of an airplane was groped in the crotch by a drunk 80 year-old women sitting in the aisle seat. When the author and his girlfriend, who witnessed the act, removed the old women’s arm from her boyfriend’s inner thigh, and helped the author report the sexual harassment to the flight attendants, was told that he should be flattered. Additionally, the flight attendants would not allow them to switch seats, claiming the flight was full.

This type of reaction from the plane’s crew can help the harassers by not taking victims seriously. Often times, people that don’t fit the classic portrait of a harasser can be overlooked. For example, older men and women, people who look like models, or people with disabilities. This is because they, on the surface, may not appear threatening. Victims are then not taken seriously. This is especially true of male victims who are emasculated for speaking up when faced with sexual harassment. But the reality is, when sexual harassment happens in a public place, it can be shocking. One reaction might be to freeze. Harassers can and often do take advantage of victims in this way.

Men often hold back from reporting sexual harassment out of fear they will not be believed. Terry Crews, a Hollywood movie star, refrained from speaking out against his harasser for over a year. 

What steps can victims of sexual harassment take.

Depending on the severity of the harassment they could communicate their feelings to their harasser and explicitly state that they are unwelcome. However, if the harassment is severe, they may want to speak to human resources. If they are not taken seriously and no investigation is conducted, a victim could file a sexual harassment lawsuit. In order to have a successful chance at filing a lawsuit, it’s important for victims to research their state’s statue of limitations. They should also keep details of the incidents in writing.

For more information about sexual harassment claims, send us a message.