Sexual harassment `amusing' to males
Sexual harassment `amusing' to males
JAKARTA (JP): A survey reveals that the majority of male executives in Jakarta regard sexual harassment as amusing.
The two-month survey, conducted by Tiara trend and lifestyle magazine, involved 193 male and female executives, between 25 and 65 years of age.
Dr. Sukiat, a psychologist who led the survey, explained that sexual harassment has become an important phenomenon in society. Cases of sexual harassment have frequently appeared in both foreign and local media.
The most recent case, for example, appeared in one of the country's largest newspapers, Kompas. In yesterday's edition, the daily reported a case of alleged sexual harassment involving North Sumatra Governor Raja Inal Siregar and a 36-year businesswoman. Although the woman finally dropped the charges against the governor - which made it impossible for the public to find out whether the initial charge was true - the case has already become a hot issue nationwide.
Reports of sexual harassment involving US President Bill Clinton have proven that this issue is not a laughing matter, said Sukiat.
Sexual harassment may occur anywhere, but so far there is no study to determine if it is also common among high-ranking managers and professionals, Sukiat said.
The survey reveals that 70 percent of the 127 male respondents said they do not intentionally want to physically harass their female colleagues or subordinates. Many of them said they just want to make fun or to create a closer relationship. A large number of respondents also mentioned that they did not realize that such actions are categorized as sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment comes in the form of verbal and physical action, including "inappropriate whistling," sexually explicit jokes, and touching parts of male or female bodies. Kissing and other sexual activities are considered serious forms of harassment, said Sukiat.
He added that complaints (of sexual harassment) are raised when people refuse to be submit to behavior that they consider to be sexual harassment.
Madyana Ganie, a vice president of a pharmaceutical company, commented that, "It is very common for executives to make sexual jokes or to comment on the physical appearances of their female or male colleagues. Sometimes we need it to create an informal situation to relieve us from the stressful working atmosphere."
Comments such as "You are very sexy today" or "Your hair looks wet" are always associated with sexual joking. In eastern culture, people are required to take a bath and wash their hair after they have a sexual intercourse. The "wet hair" joke, for instance, has become very popular, he said.
"It cannot be denied that physical harassment also occurs among executives. It really depends on each person's morality," Madyana said.
While most of the male executives regarded sexual harassment as a farce, 67 female managers involved in the survey viewed this issue as a very serious manner.
'Sour jokes'
Most female respondents said they felt irritated whenever they heard "sour jokes" against them or other female workers. Most of them would react angrily if they found their male bosses or colleagues physically harassing them.
The survey also indicated that sexual harassment against female colleagues or subordinates would surely affect their personal lives as well as their working performance.
Indah Sukotjo, a model who became a prominent executive, shared her experience of becoming an object of sexual harassment.
"I was very angry and shocked when I heard my male business partner say I was sexy and beautiful. But then I realized that I had to improve my physical appearance and to act and behave properly to avoid such harassment."
Indah also suggested that female workers avoid drawing the attention of their male counterparts by not acting coquettishly or wearing sexy dresses. "It will encourage any man to sexually harass them," she said.
Another woman executive said that it would be quite easy for women managers to avoid harassment, but not female workers. Many of them put up with harassment from their superiors because they were afraid of losing their jobs, she said.
Sukiat said that male executives should treat their female colleagues and workers properly because their current view on the issue may lead them into serious trouble.
He admitted that the survey did not indicate the general opinion on sexual harassment among executives, but stressed it did show that more and more women were becoming aware of their rights and demanding better treatment. (raw)