Ideally, no person should ever experience sexual harassment. However, if there's one lesson from 2017, it's that this is a daily reality for countless individuals, especially women. The repercussions of such harassment go well beyond the workplace or any location where it happens—they significantly harm mental health.
Regardless of whether you can report or confront the offender, being degraded in such a manner is deeply harmful. It can lead you to doubt your value both professionally and personally. Even if the harasser faces consequences, that does not erase the psychological harm or alleviate anxiety in future work situations.
Thus, before you minimize someone's experience of sexual harassment or question why they haven't moved on, let's examine the psychological impacts and explore ways to address them.
The Psychological Toll of Sexual Harassment
It Goes Beyond a Simple Offensive Remark
Until recently, the phrase "sexual harassment" often evoked images of 1980s public service announcements or cringe-worthy training videos shown during new employee orientation.
However, this is no mere pop-culture joke. Sexual harassment is a genuine crisis affecting many. A Comparably study found that one in four women experience workplace sexual harassment, with the rate rising to 33% for women in tech. By demographic, Black and Hispanic/Latinx employees reported the highest levels—19% and 17%, respectively.
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Dr. Fran Walfish, a Beverly Hills family and relationship psychotherapist, author of The Self-Aware Parent, and co-star on WE tv's Sex Box, explains to SheKnows that sexual harassment is typically not driven by sexual desire. Instead, it revolves around control and power—dominating someone perceived as weaker to boost one's own ego.
Walfish notes that individuals in power, particularly men, often inspire fear and admiration and develop a sense of entitlement. "They expect immediate gratification and rarely hear 'no.' Many sexually abusive men unconsciously grapple with a fear of their own mortality."
Dr. Judi Cinéas, a psychotherapist with nearly twenty years of experience in Florida and New York, has witnessed the immediate and lasting damage sexual harassment inflicts. At minimum, it fosters an uncomfortable workplace for the victim.
She says, "Such situations generate intense anxiety, especially when the victim must be near or interact with the harasser."
Walfish remarks that "anxiety is a clinical term for being very scared," and being controlled by another person is terrifying.
Cinéas adds that workplace anxiety often carries over into personal life, frequently leading to depression. The longer harassment continues without resolution or disclosure, the greater the risk and severity of depression, particularly with aggressive perpetrators.
Walfish explains: "Depression from sexual abuse arises from a crushing mix of powerlessness, helplessness, and unvoiced fury. Because victims cannot directly express anger at the aggressor, they often turn these intense emotions inward."
Walfish also points out that mental health consequences can manifest physically—stomachaches, ulcers, hypertension, acne, weight changes, insomnia, and other stress-induced conditions.
According to Cinéas, the trauma can lead to further sexual or relational difficulties, along with diminished confidence, low self-esteem, and overwhelming guilt.
For further reading: "Our Narrow View of Sexual Assault Is Letting People Get Away With It"
Additionally, many individuals hesitate to report workplace harassment because they fear job loss or increased workplace hostility.
Walfish states: "Workplace harassment is especially difficult for patients to handle because they worry about their current job and future prospects tied to references. At times, they feel compelled to stay silent and endure it to keep paying rent. Therapeutically, this is challenging because they feel trapped, with no outlet for their anger except to internalize it."
How Can We Address This Issue?
Ideally, reporting the harasser is the first step, but as noted, that's often easier in theory than practice. If direct confrontation isn't possible, Cinéas advises gathering support resources—such as supervisors or HR representatives—who can help address the issue.
Cinéas says, "Regardless of whether you're ready to seek help or still planning, document everything. The more undeniable the evidence, the stronger your case."
Instead of outdated training videos, workplaces should proactively educate management. Jennifer Hancock from Humanist Learning Systems conducts seminars on halting harassment through behavioral psychology. She explains to SheKnows that the strategy involves eliminating the reward and raising the cost, which provokes an "extinction burst"—essentially, retaliation.
Hancock notes: "Victims need to identify how the harasser is rewarded—often not from the victim but through social status. They must deny that reward, document incidents, and remain consistent. Consistency is crucial; without it, escalation continues. With it, the behavior peaks and then ceases, often resulting in the harasser's termination."
As previously noted, it's unrealistic to expect all victims to publicly disclose or report harassment, as it may threaten their livelihood. However, the #MeToo movement's momentum offers not only inspiration but also validation for those who have endured similar experiences.
Walfish observes that victims are often blamed and held responsible, leading them to believe they provoked or could have avoided the harassment—a claim she calls "simply not true." She adds that high-profile cases, such as those against Harvey Weinstein, can help other victims feel less isolated and stigmatized.
For further reading: "Harvey Weinstein’s Alleged Sex Crimes Brought Back Memories of My Own Harassment"
Finally, Cinéas emphasizes trusting your gut. Harassers rarely begin with overt aggression. They often start with ambiguous remarks or actions that cause discomfort but leave the victim uncertain, leading them to dismiss the incident.
She advises: "If your intuition signals trouble, begin documenting immediately. If you worry about repercussions at work, keep records outside the office until you have sufficient evidence to report confidently."
If your employer provides an employee assistance program, consider counseling—it also creates documentation. For clearly illegal acts like physical assault, involve law enforcement. You may also want to consult an attorney.
Cinéas concludes: "No matter what action you choose or postpone, self-care is essential to maintain the strength to handle the situation on your own terms."
