BSC PGR/ECR Virtual Discussion Group – Sexual Harassment in the Night-Time Economy: Negotiating the Right to Space
Thursday 23 March 2023, 14:00 – 15:00 GMT, online (UK)
Michelle Cunliffe – Nottingham Trent University
Sexual harassment is a global issue that disproportionately affects women (Gouseti, 2020: Stanko, 1990; Vera-Gray, 2016). Sexual harassment in public spaces, in particular in the Night-Time Economy, is relatively sparse. Whilst research has explored safety and women’s perceptions of safety in licenced venues, the focus tends to be on drink spiking and rape. Despite unwanted sexual behaviours such as touching and unwanted attention being documented as pervasive there is a lack of research in a UK context that focuses specifically on sexual harassment in licenced venues. This presentation will present the initial findings of the authors PhD thesis. Using a feminist methodological approach and based on semi-structured interviews, the experiences of women who have been impacted by and witnessed sexual harassment in licenced venues will be discussed. This research will illuminate the ways in which women experience harassment and how space and safety are negotiated in licenced venues. Findings suggest that the appearance of men and women and the appearance of venues influence perceptions of safety. Women also negotiate their rights to space in licenced venues by avoiding certain areas of space or accessing areas collectively. Findings also suggest that sexual harassment is presented as ‘just routine’ and interestingly, in some cases, women position themselves as abject when they do not experience unwanted sexual behaviours.
Find out more information and book your free place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bsc-pgrecr-discussion-group-sexual-harassment-in-the-night-time-economy-tickets-537945668977