Module 1 - Lesson 7

Question 1

Possible psychological effects of SH

Answer 1

• Confusion
• Embarrassment
• Guilt
• Shame
• Mistrust
• Anxiety
• Fear
• Stress

Question 2

Confusion

Answer 2

The individual may not know how to describe what happened.

Question 3

Embarrassment

Answer 3

The individual may feel humiliated by the experience.

Question 4

Guilt

Answer 4

The individual may feel responsibility for what happened and may blame him or herself.

Question 5

Shame

Answer 5

The individual may feel ashamed of what happened and may not want to accept the idea that he or she has been sexually harassed. This shame may cause the individual to feel as if he or she should have been able to prevent or eliminate the harassment.

Question 6

Mistrust

Answer 6

The individual may have difficulty believing in others’ intentions. As a result, he or she may not want to report anything because of a feeling that reporting the incident is useless and that no one will believe it occurred.

Question 7

Anxiety

Answer 7

Talking about what happened may cause too much pain and concern for the individual, who may think that what is mentioned or witnessed in the present could also trigger similar emotions (or flashbacks) from past experiences.

Question 8

Fear

Answer 8

The individual may be afraid of potential effects of the experience, which could include fear of retaliation by the harasser(s) or the harasser’s friends, colleagues, or even by the chain of command; being isolated or ostracized; or the harasser becoming angry over getting in trouble when the complainant only wants the behavior to end.

Question 9

Stress

Answer 9

Examples related to SH include: uncomfortable or hostile work environment, character attacks, same-sex harassment, masculinity being called into question.

Question 10

Victim Coping Mechanisms

Answer 10

• Denial (most common)
• Rationalization (logical way of making excuses)
• Avoidance (behave bizarrely)
• Adaptation (nothing can be done)

Question 11

Physical Effects of SH

Answer 11

• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle pain
• Decreased coordination
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Stomach problems
• Weight loss or gain
• Increased blood pressure
• Sexual disinterest or dysfunction

Question 12

Steps to Communicate with Complaintants

Answer 12

1. Consider the complainant
2. Listen actively
3. Be prepared
4. Explain approaches to resolve the sexual harassment complaint

Question 13

Methods for Resolving SH Complaints

Answer 13

• Anonymous
• Informal
• Formal