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Overview of the Literature on Sexual Harassment: Perpetrator, Theory, and Treatment Issues

NCJ Number
226860
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior: A Review Journal Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: March/April 2009 Pages: 126-138
Author(s)
Afroditi Pina; Theresa A. Gannon; Benjamin Saunders
Date Published
April 2009
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This paper provides an updated review of the sexual harassment literature, paying particular attention to current knowledge as to the individual characteristics of male sexual harassment perpetrators and highlighting key areas for future research and treatment initiatives with these men.
Abstract
Sexual harassment, as a concept, has been gaining some positive and helpful research attention. A number of researchers appear to view sexual harassment as an act that can be viewed along a continuum of behaviors that could result in sexual violence. Harassers may switch behaviors from either gender harassment to unwanted sexual attention individually, or a switch and escalation to both behaviors. This indicates an existence of a clear gap in the research literature concerning the knowledge of sexual harassers and how these individuals compare with other sexual aggressors. Several suggestions and recommendations are made for future research and treatment avenues relating to the sexual harasser. Sexual harassment has been recognized as a serious problem in the literature over the past 30 years. However, little research has focused on the characteristics of men who sexually harass. In this paper, a review is conducted of the existing research surrounding the phenomenon of sexual harassment as well as an overview of the perplexing nature of sexual harassment and the various concerns that have surrounded the topic leading to its recognition. References

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