Citation

Lenton R, Smith MD, Fox J, Morra N. Can. Rev. Sociol. Anthropol. 1999; 36(4): 517-540.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, University of Toronto Press)

DOI

10.1111/j.1755-618X.1999.tb00962.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Researchers have expended much effort studying sexual harassment in the workplace and universities. Together with legal experts, they have conceptualized sexual harassment as a human-rights issue: a form of sexual discrimination that typically occurs in relationships of unequal power. Our research, based on a 1992 survey o{ 1,990 Canadian women, suggests sexual harassment is also prevalent in public places such as streets, transit systems and malls. We supply rare data about sexual harassment in public places by examining the types, frequency, and severity of harassment; the characteristics of women most likely to be harassed; the theoretical implications of public harassment; women's responses to harassment; and its emotional and psychological effects.