In recent years, cases of sexual harassment have been rampant. There have been many cases of violence against children and women throughout 2021.
However, in the midst of these cases, unfortunately, there are still many myths or misconceptions surrounding the occurrence of sexual harassment. These myths in the end will only harm the victim because it has the nuances of victim blaming or blaming the victim.
Often misguided, here are 5 myths about sexual harassment that you must stop believing, compiled from various sources. Come on, see!
Someone Became a Victim of Sexual Harassment Because of the Clothes Worn
When a sexual harassment case comes to the fore, the public's first response is, "what clothes is the victim wearing?". If the victim wears revealing or sexy clothes, then the public immediately believes that it is the victim's fault. According to them, dressing openly means 'inviting' lust so that sexual harassment occurs.
Research has found that victims of sexual harassment vary in appearance, type of dress, age, and behavior. In fact, clothing is not the cause of sexual harassment. The fault lies entirely with the perpetrator.
Only Women Are Victims of Sexual Harassment
While most of the victims of sexual harassment are women, men can also become victims. Anyone, regardless of gender, can be a victim of harassment or a harasser.
Sexual harassment is a crime of power and control. Perpetrators often choose people they think are most vulnerable to attack or who they believe they can control.
The Perpetrator of the Sexual Harassment is a Person Who the Victim Does Not Know
This is a myth. In fact, most sexual harassment and rape is perpetrated by someone the victim knows.
Reporting from Golden West College, a study on the sexual victimization of female students showed that about 90 percent of victims knew the perpetrator who sexually harassed them. The perpetrators usually come from the closest people, such as girlfriends, ex-girlfriends, classmates, friends, acquaintances or co-workers.
If the victim doesn't fight back, it's not sexual harassment
When sexual harassment occurs, the victim will be asked why not run or fight back. Despite what may be shown on TV, most victims of sexual harassment in real life do not scream or fight. This is because they experience tonic immobility, which is temporary paralysis of a person when facing an intense threat, as reported by the Portland Psychotherapy page.
Because they do not fight or run, the victim is considered to be 'enjoying' the sexual harassment carried out by the perpetrator. In fact, any form of sexual harassment is a frightening and humiliating experience, where the victim has no control over what happens. Of course no one enjoys such an experience.
Sexual harassment will go away on its own
Not a few think that sexual harassment will disappear or stop by itself, so ignoring it seems to be a solution.
But the fact is, ignoring cases of sexual harassment will not make it go away by itself. Research has shown that neglect is ineffective; abusers generally don't stop on their own. Ignoring the behavior can even be seen as a form of approval or encouragement.