Consequences of assaults

For the victims

Sexual harassment at the place of work or study thwarts equal opportunities, poisons the atmosphere and fosters conflicts and tension. Possible consequences for the victims are:

  • feelings of shame, loss of self-confidence: The victims are deeply unsettled and often blame themselves.
  • demotivation: Decline of concentration and achievements constitute an existential threat
  • impairment to health like sleep disorder, exhaustion, headache, stomach ache, depression
  • loss of employment or study place: victims see the resignation from their job or the giving up of their university place as the sole solution – and are ashamed to admit to the real reason behind their decision
  • isolation: withdrawal from their social environment

For the University of Bern

Sexual harassment has consequences such as

  • Mutual mistrust which can lead to the failure of cooperation/ collaboration
  • Increase of absence from work, due to illness or otherwise
  • Declining productivity
  • Dwindling resources and capacities due to preoccupation with the case
  • Attrition of the workforce (loss of knowledge, know-how and experience) or drop-out from studies
  • Damage to image