Has Sexual Harassment In The Workplace Decreased? A Global Analysis Based On Recent Studies

While there have been improvements in some regions, achieving a significant decrease in sexual harassment will require sustained efforts in policy enforcement, organizational culture change, support systems for victims, and addressing underlying societal norms that enable harassment to persist.

Sexual harassment in the workplace has been a persistent issue globally, with significant repercussions for both individuals and organizations. Despite increased awareness, legal reforms, and social movements such as #MeToo, the question remains: has sexual harassment in the workplace decreased? This article explores global trends based on studies conducted in the last two to three years, examining whether these recent efforts are effectively addressing sexual harassment across continents.

North America: High Awareness but Persistent Rates

In North America, especially in the United States, the awareness around workplace sexual harassment has grown significantly, partly due to movements like #MeToo. However, studies conducted in recent years show that the prevalence of harassment has not substantially decreased.

• USA – National Survey on Sexual Harassment (2022): A Pew Research Center study conducted in 2022 found that around 42% of women in the United States have experienced some form of sexual harassment in the workplace during their careers. Although reporting rates have increased, the overall prevalence remains similar to previous years. The EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) reported receiving 6,587 sexual harassment charges in 2021, a slight decrease from earlier years, but still a significant figure. Despite increased awareness and improved reporting mechanisms, sexual harassment continues to be a widespread issue in workplaces across the country.

• Canada – 2021 Human Rights Commission Report: A 2021 report by the Canadian Human Rights Commission found that 1 in 5 women reported experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace, showing little to no improvement in rates since previous studies. While many employers have introduced stronger anti-harassment policies in recent years, the study highlighted that fear of retaliation and lack of support systems for victims continue to discourage many workers from reporting incidents.

Europe: Legal Frameworks in Place, but Gaps Remain

In Europe, various countries have made significant strides in establishing legal frameworks and workplace policies aimed at curbing sexual harassment. However, recent studies indicate that while progress is being made, rates of harassment remain high.

• United Kingdom – 2023 EHRC Study: The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) report in 2023 revealed that 1 in 3 women had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. While there has been improvement in legislative protections and increased awareness following the #MeToo movement, the report found that harassment rates have not decreased substantially, with many victims still choosing not to report incidents due to fear of retaliation or inadequate support. The study stressed that much work remains in creating a safer environment for reporting and holding perpetrators accountable.

• France – Lyon Study (2022-2023): A recent study from L’Université Lumière Lyon 2 and Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3 found that 1 in 4 women in Lyon reported experiencing sexual harassment at work in the past year, which mirrors the broader national trends. Despite France’s robust legal framework, including the 2018 Schiappa Law aimed at combatting sexual harassment, the study found that reporting rates were still low, particularly in sectors like hospitality and retail, where workers are often in precarious situations with limited protections.

• Germany – 2022 Survey by the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency: A 2022 study conducted by the German Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency found that 1 in 5 women in Germany reported experiencing workplace harassment. Although Germany’s anti-harassment laws are some of the strongest in Europe, the study indicated that while awareness has increased, harassment rates remain relatively unchanged. The report emphasized that while legal frameworks are improving, cultural barriers and fear of consequences still prevent many workers from coming forward.

Asia: Cultural Barriers and Legal Limitations

In Asia, sexual harassment remains a significant issue due to cultural norms, limited legal frameworks in some regions, and insufficient enforcement. While some countries have introduced reforms, recent studies show that harassment continues to be widespread.

• Japan – Rengo Survey (2023): A 2023 survey by the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (RENGO) revealed that 1 in 5 workers in Japan reported experiencing sexual harassment at work. The study highlighted that while Japan passed stronger anti-harassment laws in 2020, cultural factors, such as a hierarchical workplace structure and fear of social stigma, discourage many victims from reporting. The report indicated that harassment rates have remained steady, with little significant change in the past few years.

• India – National Commission for Women (2022): A 2022 study by the National Commission for Women (NCW) found that 30% of women in India had encountered sexual harassment at work. The study pointed to the inconsistent implementation of the 2013 Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act as a major barrier to reducing harassment. In rural and informal sectors, harassment rates were even higher, and many women continued to face fear of retaliation or lack of trust in reporting mechanisms.

• South Korea – 2022 Workplace Harassment Study: A 2022 study by The Korean Women's Development Institute (KWDI) found that 1 in 4 women in South Korea had been sexually harassed at work. The study pointed to persistent gender inequality and cultural factors that discourage reporting. Although legal reforms have been introduced, the report found that many women continue to face barriers to reporting and inadequate responses from employers.

Oceania: Notable Improvements, but Challenges Persist

In Oceania, Australia has made notable progress in addressing workplace sexual harassment, but challenges remain.

• Australia – Australian Human Rights Commission Study (2022): According to a 2022 study by the Australian Human Rights Commission, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men reported experiencing sexual harassment at work. While there has been an increase in awareness and efforts to strengthen workplace policies, the report found that harassment rates have not decreased significantly. The study also found that many victims still do not report incidents, due to fear of retaliation, lack of support from employers, and concerns about the effectiveness of reporting mechanisms.

Africa: Limited Data but Persistent Challenges

In Africa, there is limited comprehensive data on sexual harassment in the workplace, but studies in certain countries suggest that harassment remains a widespread issue, particularly in industries such as agriculture, hospitality, and retail.

• South Africa – 2021 Workplace Survey: A 2021 study by the South African Human Sciences Research Council found that sexual harassment rates in South Africa remain alarmingly high, with approximately 1 in 4 women experiencing harassment at work. The study indicated that while legal protections are in place, cultural norms and lack of enforcement continue to hamper progress in addressing the issue effectively.

South America: Persistent Challenges and Legal Progress

In South America, sexual harassment in the workplace remains a significant issue, although some countries have made strides in improving legal frameworks and raising awareness. Cultural norms, gender inequality, and inconsistent enforcement of laws continue to contribute to the persistence of sexual harassment across the region. Recent studies from South America shed light on the current state of harassment in workplaces and the progress made in addressing the issue.

• Brazil – National Survey on Sexual Harassment (2022): A 2022 survey conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) revealed that 1 in 4 women in Brazil reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment at work. The study noted that although sexual harassment laws exist, including the Brazilian Penal Code, which criminalizes workplace harassment, enforcement remains a major issue. The study pointed out that many women are reluctant to report harassment due to fear of retaliation, loss of employment, or social stigma. Furthermore, cultural factors such as machismo and gender inequality play a large role in the normalization of harassment in many workplaces. Despite Brazil's legal reforms, such as the 2018 Law Against Sexual Harassment, which mandates companies with more than 50 employees to create mechanisms for reporting and addressing harassment, the study found that only about 20% of harassment incidents were reported, indicating a major gap between legal protections and actual enforcement.

• Argentina – National Survey on Workplace Harassment (2023): A 2023 study by the National University of La Plata in Argentina examined the prevalence of workplace sexual harassment and found that nearly 30% of women had experienced harassment in their workplaces. Argentina has passed progressive laws aimed at addressing gender-based violence, such as the 2015 National Gender Violence Law, which includes provisions for workplace harassment. However, the report highlighted that the implementation of these laws remains inconsistent, particularly in small businesses and informal sectors, where workers often lack proper legal protections. The study emphasized that victims of harassment in Argentina continue to face significant challenges in reporting incidents. Many women fear losing their jobs, particularly in precarious work environments, such as in retail or hospitality. The report also noted that institutional support for victims remains insufficient, with many workplaces failing to create safe environments for reporting or addressing harassment.

• Chile – Workplace Harassment Report (2022): In Chile, a 2022 report by the Chile Women's National Service (SERNAM) revealed that 1 in 5 women in Chile experienced sexual harassment at work. The report noted that while Chile has made legal advancements, such as the 2019 Law Against Gender-Based Violence, which includes workplace protections, the effectiveness of these laws is still limited by cultural attitudes and unequal power dynamics in the workplace. The study highlighted that machismo remains a pervasive issue in many professional environments in Chile, where harassment is often overlooked or tolerated. Similar to other countries in the region, fear of retaliation and lack of support mechanisms were significant barriers to women reporting harassment. The study recommended increasing employer accountability and ensuring that workplace policies are enforced consistently across all sectors.

• Colombia – 2021 Survey on Gender-Based Harassment: A 2021 survey conducted by Colombian Women’s Network found that 28% of women in Colombia had experienced sexual harassment at work. While Colombia has strong anti-discrimination laws in place, such as the 1999 Law on the Prevention and Sanction of Workplace Harassment, the survey revealed that enforcement is often inconsistent, particularly in rural areas and in informal employment sectors, which employ a significant proportion of the workforce. The report also pointed to insufficient legal awareness among employees and employers, as well as a lack of resources for victims to report harassment safely. Despite these challenges, the study noted that there has been increasing public discourse on the issue of workplace harassment, partly due to the efforts of feminist groups and activists, which has contributed to some level of cultural shift.

• Peru – 2022 Report on Workplace Gender Violence: A 2022 report by Peru’s Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations found that 32% of women in the formal workforce had experienced some form of workplace sexual harassment. Peru’s 2019 Law on Gender Violence includes provisions that mandate companies to implement preventive measures and reporting systems for sexual harassment. However, the report emphasized that implementation gaps remain, particularly in informal sectors where many women work in lower-wage and less-regulated jobs. Similar to other South American countries, the report found that many women choose not to report harassment due to concerns over job security and the stigma attached to being a victim. Furthermore, the study suggested that employer responsibility for implementing and enforcing anti-harassment policies is still lacking in many organizations.

Conclusion: Has Sexual Harassment Decreased?

Based on the most recent studies conducted in the last two to three years, the answer is clear: sexual harassment in the workplace has not significantly decreased. Despite greater awareness, legal reforms, and cultural shifts in many parts of the world, the overall prevalence of workplace sexual harassment remains high.

Key findings from the studies include:

• Persistent high rates of harassment in North America, Europe, South America and Asia.

• Cultural barriers, such as hierarchical work structures and gender inequality, continue to hinder progress in many countries.

• Legal frameworks have improved, but enforcement is often inconsistent, and many workers still fear retaliation or lack support systems for reporting harassment.

• Underreporting remains a major issue, with many victims choosing not to come forward due to stigma, lack of trust in systems, and fear of negative consequences.

While there have been improvements in some regions, achieving a significant decrease in sexual harassment will require sustained efforts in policy enforcement, organizational culture change, support systems for victims, and addressing underlying societal norms that enable harassment to persist. The global fight against workplace sexual harassment is far from over, and a more comprehensive approach is needed to make tangible progress.

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