The Law And Sexual Harassment
One of the first steps to overcoming sexual harassment is admitting what happened to you and admitting it was a mistake. In fact, sexual harassment is such a serious issue that it is regulated by law. For example, the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) says it is against the law to harass someone because of their gender.
Furthermore, sexual harassment is not limited to abuse between men and women, even though it is the most common form of harassment. Sexual harassment from women to women, sexual harassment from men to men, and sexual harassment from women to men also occur and are illegal.
Although the law generally does not apply to isolated cases of harassment or erratic remarks, harassment occurs when it creates a toxic working environment or results in adverse working conditions. They are born as fired or reprimanded for sexual harassment.
Trauma
While everyone treats trauma with sexual harassment differently, you may begin to feel traumatized if you have been sexually harassed and then move on to denial. Feelings of abuse, which can lead to low self-esteem.
In addition, your feedback can be so important that you may have difficulty working on a daily basis. The key is to either fix the problem or leave the work environment.
It is also not uncommon for victims of sexual harassment to find it difficult to sleep, wake up in the morning, eat, play sports or do something they once thought amusing. Other symptoms that can lead to sexual harassment can be headaches, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, stomach problems and high blood pressure.
You too may feel betrayed, angry, helpless, hopeless, and out of control. And in extreme cases, victims may suffer from depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. You may feel blocked or hopeless in your situation but with a little work and advice from outside, you should be able to understand your experience, recover from it and move on.
Here are some steps every victim should take to recover from sexual harassment.
Accept what happened. This means verifying your experience. Do not downplay what happened and do not make excuses to the offender. It is also important to allow yourself to experience your feelings. Don’t let go of the resentment and anger you feel. Find healthy ways to express these feelings. Some options include prayer, meditation, yoga, 4 and other stress-reducing activities.
Talk to someone about bullying. It always helps to communicate with a safe person. Try to find someone who respects your feelings and point of view. Do not share your thoughts and feelings with someone who will tell you that you are overreacting or emotionally overreacting. If you have no one to talk about your experience. Try joining a support group or starting your own support group.
Diary about your experience. Describe how sexual harassment has affected you. Explore the different emotions you are feeling. Sometimes it helps to include a letter to the person who harassed you in your journal. Say everything you wanted to say but you did not. Getting all of that out of your system can be a great cure. Blogging can also help you understand what happened to you.5 It is a safe place to say what you think without trying to filter anything out.
Stop blaming yourself. What happened to you was not your fault. You weren’t the cause of it and you couldn’t control the other person. Also remember that you have nothing to be ashamed of and you should not feel guilty about it. Blaming yourself will slow your recovery. The only culprits are criminals. He chose to sexually harass you. The only choice you have in this matter is how you deal with what has happened to you. Remember that you have complete control over your response and where you go.
Complete your experience. An important part of the healing process is letting go of the past and letting go of your trauma. Sometimes it means changing jobs or professions. It can also mean discovering who you really are. Many times, a person’s identity is linked to his work. Instead, rediscover what makes you. Start a new hobby and develop new interests and most importantly, don’t think too much about what happened to you. Find healthy ways to let go of the past and try to stay positive about things in your life.
Use experience to help others. Sometimes you can understand what happened to you by integrating your experiences into your life. For example, you can write a blog about what you have tried and make suggestions to your readers or you could lead a support group, create a website for victims of bullying, or chat with others. Another option is to volunteer with non-profit groups that engage in sexual harassment. The key is to take a negative experience and turn it into something positive. Doing so helps build your flexibility.
Find a consultant. If you are having trouble moving forward after the experience, it may be helpful to consult with a counselor who specializes in dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace. Counselors who specialize in sexual abuse or violence can also be helpful. If you have been harassed at work or school, advocates advise against using mental health professionals at your school or employer. Sometimes the boundaries of privacy are blurred and the consultant shares your information about you with others in the organization. In extreme cases, you may want to protect your organization from liability. It is always best to find a counselor outside of sexual harassment. Not only is this extra protection for your privacy, but you may find it easier to open up to someone unrelated to the organization where the harassment took place.
Tips for Friends of Victims of Sexual Harassment
If you have a friend or family member struggling with the consequences of sexual harassment. You might want to help them. But you don’t know where to start. Just being there to listen and support is often all you need.
You do not have to correct a friend’s situation or give wise advice. Your most important role is to be patient with what they are going through and support them as much as possible. They need to know that they are safe with you and that you believe in them. You can also remind them that the persecution is not their fault.
Here’s a list of other tips when interacting with your friends:
Be sure to rate them. Try to understand their feelings and provide support. Be there for them when you can and encourage them to talk to others too.
Encourage them to keep in touch. The worst thing your friend can do is isolate or spend more time alone. It is common for victims of bullying to distance themselves from others, but it does not help them to heal. Encourage them to keep them connected to you and others.
Respect their boundaries and give them space when they need it. Remember that their boundaries were breached when they were sexually harassed, so it will likely be very difficult for them to fight to create new ones. Set them free to do it. Do not suffocate with their attention or help.
Let him heal at their own pace. Don’t rush them or try to fix things. Each heals at a different pace. Try to be patient if it takes longer to get through the experience than you think.
Support their decision, even if you don’t agree with them. It is very important that your friend decides for himself. They need space and control will take over their lives depending on their conditions. While it’s okay to make suggestions, don’t try to control them or tell them what to do.