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Prevalence and Context of Sexual Harassment Among African American and White American Women

NCJ Number
157193
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 10 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1995) Pages: 309-321
Author(s)
G E Wyatt; M Riederle
Date Published
1995
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Ethnic differences in the prevalence, type, and outcome of sexual harassment in various work and social settings were examined in a stratified community sample of 248 black and white women ages 18-36 in Los Angeles County in 1983.
Abstract
Results revealed that almost half the women reported sexual harassment in work and social settings. Significant ethnic differences existed in the prevalence and type of sexual harassment and in victim characteristics in workplaces. Single African American victims of harassment in social settings were significantly more likely than white victims to have incomes at or below the poverty level. The finding that significantly more white than African American women reported workplace sexual harassment contradicts previous research and suggests the need for further study with multiethnic populations. Future research should include a variety of private and public social settings. In addition, this research should examine factors that prevent women from taking action to remedy sexual harassment across settings. Tables and 34 references (Author abstract modified)