Citation

Sigler RT, Johnson IM. J. Crim. Justice 1986; 14(3): 229-237.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1986, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0047-2352(86)90003-6

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article presents the findings of a descriptive, exploratory survey, conducted in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to measure definitions of and attitudes toward sexual harassment, frequency and nature of occurrence of sexual harassment, and the endorsement of criminal penalties for sexual harassers. The analysis revealed four basic types of definitions in use by the subjects. Although three-fourths of the subjects included the work environment in their definitions, sexual harassment was found to be as prevalent on the street and in public places as in the work place. Rate of endorsement of penalties varied with the nature of the offensive acts. Endorsement of a need for legislation criminalizing sexual harassment varied from about 64 percent to about 85 percent according to the environment in which the harassment occurred.