According to a survey conducted by the Association of Flight Attendants, 68 percent of respondents and throughout the country said that they had been sexually harassed at some point in their careers. Furthermore, roughly one-third said that they had experienced verbal abuse in the past year. The flight attendants who responded to the survey, including some from Florida, said that passengers had talked about sexual fantasies or requested videos or pictures of an adult nature.
Of those who responded to the survey, 18 percent said that they had experienced physical sexual assault in the past year. Among that group, 40 percent said that it had happened three or more times in that time period. Examples of physical abuse included being grabbed or followed. The actions that were described have taken place in spite of the #MeToo movement that has aimed to increase awareness of sexual harassment and assault.
While many who took part in the survey said that they have been victims of harassment, only 7 percent reported the abuse. Among victims who reported their abuse, 68 percent said that their employers did nothing about the reported abuse. However, this does not mean that all airlines turn a blind eye to sexual harassment. The AFA noted that Alaska, United and Spirit Airlines were taking steps to create zero tolerance policies toward sexual harassment.
Individuals in Boca Raton, Florida, who believe that they have been victims of sexual harassment could have grounds for legal action. This may include filing a complaint with the EEOC or filing a lawsuit. If a claim is successful, harassment victims could be entitled to compensation for their losses.
