Many Florida residents who have been sexual harassment victim will not speak out for months or even years. There are several reasons why the victims of workplace sexual harassment often take lengthy periods of time before they report the harassment, including fears of losing their jobs, being in unequal power relationships with the perpetrators, concerns that others won’t believe them and threats that have been made against them.
The cases involving Roger Ailes, the former CEO of Fox News, who has been accused by multiple women who worked for the company of sexually harassing them, is illustrative. The allegations led to his resignation after serving for 20 years in the role of CEO. Many of the women endured harassment from Ailes for years, and they are only now coming forward with their stories.
Sexual harassment happens in situations in which one person holds power over another or in environments in which such behavior is condoned. Because of the unequal power structure, people who are being harassed often have fears about what might happen to them if they were to speak up against the harassment. Some people are threatened about what will happen to them if they tell, and others are worried that their careers will be ruined if the come forward.
People who have been the victim of workplace sexual harassment are usually advised by employment law attorneys to follow the reporting procedures that are set forth in their company manuals. If this proves unfruitful or impossible, then the next step could be the filing of a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
