A survey of over 900 people in Chester County, Pennsylvania revealed interesting and startling information about sexual harassment happening in our nearby communities. This survey was conducted in both English and Spanish and targeted those in various Chester County workplaces. It should be noted that about 81 percent of survey respondents were female. The survey was conducted between November 2018 and January 2019, was initiated by the Chester County Commissioners, and was facilitated by the Chester County Women’s Commission and the Chester County Fund for Women and Girls.
Survey Statistics
Out of the respondents, the results of the survey revealed the following:
- About 62 percent of people have witnessed or experienced sexual harassment at some point during their careers.
- About one in four people who answered the survey said that they had witnessed or experienced sexual harassment in their current workplace.
- Less than half of the respondents said that they thought sexual harassment would be less prevalent in the future.
- One of the more striking results is that 29 percent of respondents said that they either were not aware or did not have a reporting process for sexual harassment behavior when it occurred at work. Although most employers are required to have a policy on how to report sexual harassment, it appeared that many either did not have a process or the employers were not providing that information in a clear way to their employees.
- For workers who interacted with clients, customers, and contractors, only one in five reported that they experienced sexual harassment. Although these people were not directly employed by their employers, workers should still report when they have been sexually harassed by people in those roles.
Next Steps
As a result of these results, the Chester County Commissioners have noted the importance of educating and empowering young men and women in the workforce regarding sexual harassment, especially considering the #MeToo movement, which is currently taking place throughout the United States. This movement has been shedding light on the harmful effects and prevalence of sexual harassment in workplace.
Philadelphia Sexual Harassment Lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. Help Victims with Sexual Harassment Claims
If you or someone you know suffered sexual harassment in the workplace, the Philadelphia sexual harassment lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. can evaluate your situation and provide advice on next steps. Call us at 215-569-1999 or contact us online for a free case evaluation. Located in Philadelphia and Pennsauken, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and South Jersey.
