Much negative reaction to women’s voices being raised about sexual harassment stems from a lack of understanding about what exactly constitutes harassment. Because there is a lot of gray area in determining mild to serious forms of gender-based offenses, Kathleen Kelley Reardon developed the Spectrum of Sexual Misconduct at Work (SSMW). It helps people define and differentiate among types of gender-based offense.
The better our ability to articulate how and to what extent particular behaviors offend, the better the chances of women and men working effectively and equitably together.
Source: Ascend, November 2018. Link.
. . . the SSMW provides a means of talking about sexual misconduct; a way to halt backlash against women by formulating solutions. It also helps women decide when and how to respond to behaviors they see as offensive whether minor or extreme.
INSIGHTS: There has been a cultural shift. Clearly the SSMW focuses on offensive behavior directed at women by men. Sexual misconduct can take many forms. Certainly, a woman can be the offending party, writes Reardon. Using the SSMW establishes a dialogue by which gender biases and misconduct can be addressed regardless of gender.