From 9 to 5 and Beyond: Understanding Sexual Harassment in Workplaces and Public Transit in Kolkata

Description

Page: 519-525

Shreyosi Dutta¹ and Debangana Bhattacharya² (Department of Applied Psychology, Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata, West Bengal¹ and Department of Psychology, Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata, West Bengal²)

Sexual harassment in public places is a serious issue that can encompass a range of behaviors, from unwanted advances and comments to physical assault. It can occur in various settings such as streets, parks, public transportation, workplaces, and more. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the complex interplay among young adults in Kolkata who encounter sexual harassment, emotional regulation, and social anxiety at work and on public transportation by using a comparative analysis. This comparative study, which utilizes purposive sampling, investigates the emotional regulation and social anxiety of 71 employees (mean age = 28.23, SD = 6.06) aged 20-52, 38 of whom have experienced sexual harassment and 33 have not, to investigate the psychological impact of such trauma. In this study Sexual Experiences Questionnaire (Fitzgerald et al., 1988); Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (Gross & John, 2003); and Social Anxiety Questionnaire (Clark & Wells, 1995) for adults were used for fulfilling the purpose of the study. The finding highlights the adverse effects of sexual harassment encounters on mental health by showing that victims of the crime have slightly worse emotional regulation skills than non-victims. Furthermore, noteworthy correlations were found between experiences of sexual harassment and different patterns of social interaction, indicating that victims are more susceptible to criticism and humiliation. These results highlighted the significance of specialized interventions to lessen the psychological repercussions of sexual harassment and throw light on the complex aftermath of the crime. The study emphasizes how crucial it is to foster circumstances that are beneficial to lessen these adverse consequences and enhance general well-being.