Seven out of ten Greek women have been victim of sexual harassment or abuse and the overwhelming majority believes that it is not easy for the victim to find justice, a nationwide survey has found.
According to the survey conducted by Prorata between January 22-24 in a sample of 1,115 people, 65% of women said that they have been victim of sexual harassment.
This took place at work (58%), on the street (53%) in a house (35%), in an entertainment facility like cafes, bars etc (30%), at school or university (28%) and on social media (23%).
The survey also explored the limits of tolerance for sex-related harassment and abuse. They also confirm the relatively broader tolerance by men towards such behavior.
Both female and male respondents, the overwhelming majority of 87% said that it is not “easy” or “not particular easy” for a victim to find justice.
The majority of respondents – 83% women and men – said that a victim publicly denounces such an abuse “to prevent similar incidents in the future.” 55% believe that it aims “to punish the perpetrator” and 50% “to open a public debate.”
It is impressive that 13% of respondents believe that “it is for the personal promotion” of the victim. 6% of women responded affirmative and 19% of men.
It should be recalled that two weeks ago, for the first time a public person in the country, Olympic gold medalist Sofia Bekatorou, spoke about being sexually abused by a member of the board of the Greek Sailing Federation. Bekatorou opened the Pandora’s Box with more athletes speaking up about being sexually harassed, among them one who was 11-year-old when she was abused by her sailing coach.
What is interesting – not to say: worrying – is the widespread point of view that ” speaking about sexual harassment can lead to criminalization of flirting.” This view is shared by 58% of men and by 41% of women.
Male behaviors that are often considered as “acts of harassment” are a comment that includes sexual allusions by a person as well as the persistent looking at specific parts of the body (37%).
On the other hand, the majority of women does not perceive as ‘sexual harassment” whistling on the street (69%) or winking. However even here, a significant portion of women said that whether it is harassment or not “depends on the circumstances.”
Details on the Prorata survey here, in Greek.
