Sexual Harassment and Women of Color: Issues, Challenges, and Future Directions (From Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: Perspectives, Frontiers, and Response Strategies, P 51-66, 1996, Margaret S Stockdale, ed. -- See NCJ-162499)

• NCJ Number: 162502
• Author(s): A J Murrell
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 16 pages
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter addresses the issue of sexual harassment as it affects women of color within the workplace.

Abstract

After reviewing the empirical and theoretical literature on experiences, definitions, and consequences of sexual harassment for women of color, issues and recommendations on the future direction of this research are offered. The findings show that only a scant amount of existing empirical evidence focuses on women of color and sexual harassment; most studies do not explicitly examine race/ethnic differences or report on the racial composition of the sample. The chapter recommends that future research should examine whether women of color are differentially exposed to and affected by sexual harassment in the workplace compared with their white counterparts. Another recommendation is that future research examine whether sexual harassment for women of color is inextricably linked to experiences with racial discrimination. A third suggestion is that research explore whether sexual harassment has a different range or severity of consequences for women of color compared with white women. The discussion highlights three ways in which current thinking in the area of sexual harassment would be challenged by a greater infusion of research and theory that is more inclusive of women of color: defining a hostile work environment, outlining organizational policies, and clarifying legal standards in cases of sexual harassment. 46 references