Hybrid Seminar – The Bystader Issue: Why Do We Take the Harassers’ Side?

On 27th January 2025 by Mark Walters

Thursday 20 February 2025, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm GMT, online and London, UK

 

Abstract: Despite the mounting evidence that sexual harassment and sexism are prevalent issues that affect workers, firms, and society, there is a significant problem of underreporting and reluctance to seek help. Research indicates that women, in particular, face additional penalties when they report incidents of sexual harassment. This paper investigates the role of bystanders in sexual harassment cases, as they can either provide crucial support or act as detractors, influencing the victim’s decision to report. We survey to examine bystanders’ beliefs regarding sexual harassment, focusing on three key aspects: understanding of what constitutes sexual harassment in the workplace and its prevalence, misconceptions about the costs for both victims and perpetrators and feelings of incompetence when faced with such cases. After collecting participants’ initial beliefs and perceptions, we randomly assigned them to different information treatments and analyzed the impact of this information on the likelihood of supporting the victim. Presenter Bio: Margaux is a Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science in the Department of Social Policy. She obtained her PhD in Economics from CY Cergy Paris University and ESSEC Business School. Her work focuses on gender inequalities in education and the labour market.

Chair: Dr Shuang Chen

 

Find more information and book your free place here: https://www.lse.ac.uk/social-policy/events/Seminars/The-International-Social-and-Public-Policy-seminar-series

This event will be held online and at OLD 2.21, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London, UK.