Main author: Svava Dögg Jónsdóttir
Institution or Company: Centre of Public Health Sciences, University of Iceland
Co-Authors, Institution or Company:
Þórhildur Halldórsdóttir, Department of Psychology, Reykjavík University. Thor Aspelund, Centre of Public Health Sciences, University of Iceland. Harpa Rúnarsdóttir, Centre of Public Health Sciences, University of Iceland. Unnur Anna Valdimarsdóttir, Centre of Public Health Sciences, University of Iceland. Arna Hauksdóttir, Centre of Public Health Sciences, University of Iceland. Edda Björk Þórðardóttir, Centre of Public Health Sciences, University of Iceland.
Introduction: International studies indicate that workplace sexual harassment and violence is common among women, especially among those young and highly educated. There is additionally some evidence that women working in the media, health care and service sectors are at greater risk of sexual harassment compared to those working in other sectors. Although the existing literature is informative, prior research on sexual harassment and violence is seldom population-based and is often limited by small sample sizes and only assessing one work sector. Addressing this gap in knowledge, the aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of workplace sexual harassment and violence in a nationally representative sample of Icelandic women with regard to demographic characteristics and work sector.
Methods: Participants were 15,799 women 18-69 years old residing in Iceland who enrolled in the Stress and Gene Analysis (SAGA cohort) study. The women completed measures assessing lifetime and current exposure to sexual harassment and violence, employment status, demographic characteristics (e.g. age, education, income) and current profession.
Results: Preliminary results suggest that lifetime exposure of workplace sexual harassment and violence is common (33%) and that current prevalence rates vary by work sectors. Data analyses is currently ongoing and will be completed in March 2021.
Conclusions: The results from this study will provide valuable knowledge about workplace sexual harassment and violence against women at a national and international level, and hopefully lead to improved public policies targeted at promoting women’s safety and well-being in their working environment.
