GITNUXREPORT 2026

Sexual Harassment In The Workplace Statistics

Sexual harassment in the workplace is a widespread and devastatingly common global crisis.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Sexual harassment causes 19 million lost workdays annually in the US

Statistic 2

Victims of sexual harassment are 2.2 times more likely to quit their jobs

Statistic 3

50% of victims experience severe psychological distress post-harassment

Statistic 4

Sexual harassment leads to $2.6 billion in lost productivity yearly

Statistic 5

42% of victims report long-term career setbacks

Statistic 6

PTSD rates among victims are 4 times higher than non-victims

Statistic 7

35% of victims suffer depression requiring treatment

Statistic 8

Turnover costs from harassment average $15,000 per victim

Statistic 9

60% of victims experience decreased job performance

Statistic 10

Health care costs for victims are 1.7 times higher

Statistic 11

28% of victims change careers entirely due to harassment

Statistic 12

Absenteeism increases by 22 days per year for victims

Statistic 13

45% report strained personal relationships post-incident

Statistic 14

Suicide ideation rises 3x among harassment victims

Statistic 15

52% of victims face physical health issues like hypertension

Statistic 16

Earnings drop 30% for women post-lawsuit settlements

Statistic 17

38% of victims avoid promotions fearing retaliation

Statistic 18

Alcohol use disorders increase 50% among victims

Statistic 19

65% experience sleep disorders lasting over 6 months

Statistic 20

Corporate lawsuits cost firms $12.7 million on average per case

Statistic 21

70% of victims distrust management post-incident

Statistic 22

Innovation drops 15% in teams with harassment history

Statistic 23

41% of victims relocate for new jobs

Statistic 24

Anxiety disorders affect 48% of long-term victims

Statistic 25

75% of male perpetrators are supervisors or in positions of power

Statistic 26

40% of workplace sexual harassers are peers or co-workers of similar rank

Statistic 27

Men aged 30-50 commit 60% of reported workplace sexual harassment incidents

Statistic 28

25% of perpetrators have prior disciplinary records for harassment

Statistic 29

Senior executives account for 35% of sexual harassment complaints

Statistic 30

15% of harassers are clients or customers external to the organization

Statistic 31

White men perpetrate 55% of cross-racial sexual harassment cases

Statistic 32

20% of perpetrators are repeat offenders within the same workplace

Statistic 33

Male supervisors over 40 are 2x more likely to harass female subordinates

Statistic 34

30% of harassers hold managerial positions in small businesses

Statistic 35

Alcohol-influenced incidents involve 18% of perpetrators at work events

Statistic 36

45% of perpetrators deny allegations when confronted

Statistic 37

Non-binary identified perpetrators account for 5% of cases

Statistic 38

28% of harassers are in sales or client-facing roles

Statistic 39

Perpetrators with military background commit 12% higher rates

Statistic 40

22% of harassers are temporary or contract workers

Statistic 41

Older male perpetrators (over 55) target younger victims 70% of the time

Statistic 42

35% of perpetrators in tech are engineers or developers

Statistic 43

Harassers in unions represent 10% of cases despite smaller numbers

Statistic 44

19% of perpetrators are from HR or compliance departments ironically

Statistic 45

Male perpetrators in academia are 80% tenured faculty

Statistic 46

26% of harassers have substance abuse issues documented

Statistic 47

Perpetrators in healthcare are 40% physicians or doctors

Statistic 48

32% of harassers are first-time offenders under 30

Statistic 49

85% of women have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace at some point in their careers

Statistic 50

25% of women reported experiencing severe forms of sexual harassment such as unwanted touching in the workplace

Statistic 51

Globally, 23% of women in paid work have experienced sexual harassment

Statistic 52

77% of workers in the US have experienced some form of workplace harassment, with sexual harassment comprising 38%

Statistic 53

In a survey of 6,000 individuals, 59% of women reported sexual harassment at work

Statistic 54

40% of women in federal workplaces reported sexual harassment incidents between 2015-2016

Statistic 55

81% of women and 43% of men experienced sexual harassment in their lifetime, with 60% workplace-related

Statistic 56

In Hollywood, 87% of women reported experiencing sexual harassment at work

Statistic 57

27% of US workers experienced sexual harassment weekly or daily

Statistic 58

60% of female doctors reported sexual harassment by colleagues

Statistic 59

52% of women in politics faced sexual harassment

Statistic 60

In Australia, 33% of women experienced workplace sexual harassment

Statistic 61

70% of hospitality workers reported sexual harassment

Statistic 62

41% of LGBTQ+ employees experienced sexual harassment at work

Statistic 63

29% of men and 44% of women in the military faced sexual harassment

Statistic 64

65% of women executives reported sexual harassment

Statistic 65

In India, 52% of working women faced sexual harassment

Statistic 66

38% of female firefighters reported sexual harassment

Statistic 67

50% of nurses experienced sexual harassment from patients or staff

Statistic 68

75% of women in media reported sexual harassment

Statistic 69

31% of UK workers experienced sexual harassment

Statistic 70

42% of women in academia faced sexual harassment

Statistic 71

55% of retail workers reported sexual harassment

Statistic 72

68% of female journalists experienced sexual harassment

Statistic 73

47% of women in finance reported sexual harassment

Statistic 74

39% of construction workers faced sexual harassment

Statistic 75

62% of women in gaming industry reported sexual harassment

Statistic 76

53% of female lawyers experienced sexual harassment

Statistic 77

46% of women in manufacturing reported sexual harassment

Statistic 78

Only 6% of sexual harassment complaints lead to perpetrator termination

Statistic 79

75-90% of workplace sexual harassment goes unreported

Statistic 80

Women file 80% of formal sexual harassment charges with EEOC

Statistic 81

30% of victims report to HR, but only 10% see action taken

Statistic 82

Anonymous reporting systems increase disclosures by 50%

Statistic 83

15% of reports result in lawsuits filed by victims

Statistic 84

Black women report at 20% lower rates due to retaliation fears

Statistic 85

40% of millennials report harassment via social media instead of HR

Statistic 86

Unionized workplaces see 25% higher reporting rates

Statistic 87

Only 12% of male victims formally report sexual harassment

Statistic 88

55% of victims consult friends before reporting officially

Statistic 89

Post-#MeToo, reporting increased by 13% in 2018

Statistic 90

28% of reports are dropped due to insufficient evidence

Statistic 91

Gig workers report at 5% rate due to lack of HR

Statistic 92

65% fear retaliation, primary barrier to reporting

Statistic 93

Online reporting tools boost rates by 35% in large firms

Statistic 94

22% of reports come from witnesses, not direct victims

Statistic 95

Small businesses (<50 employees) have 70% lower reporting rates

Statistic 96

18% of reports lead to mediation instead of investigation

Statistic 97

LGBTQ+ reporting rates are 10% higher post-policy changes

Statistic 98

45% of academic reports are filed after tenure decisions

Statistic 99

Hotline reporting increased 200% after training programs

Statistic 100

9% of reports result in criminal charges

Statistic 101

Victims over 50 report at 15% rate compared to 40% under 30

Statistic 102

33% of healthcare workers report internally within 24 hours

Statistic 103

Women aged 18-24 are 1.5 times more likely to experience workplace sexual harassment

Statistic 104

60% of sexual harassment victims in the workplace are women under 35 years old

Statistic 105

Black women face 1.6 times higher rates of sexual harassment than white women at work

Statistic 106

70% of transgender employees reported sexual harassment, compared to 45% cisgender women

Statistic 107

Latina women experience workplace sexual harassment at rates 20% higher than non-Latina women

Statistic 108

Single women are 2 times more likely to report sexual harassment than married women

Statistic 109

55% of female minimum wage workers faced sexual harassment

Statistic 110

Women with children under 18 report 15% higher incidence of sexual harassment

Statistic 111

65% of disabled women experienced workplace sexual harassment

Statistic 112

Immigrant women face sexual harassment rates 25% above native-born women

Statistic 113

72% of young female interns reported sexual harassment

Statistic 114

Asian American women report 30% higher sexual harassment in professional services

Statistic 115

50% of female veterans experienced sexual harassment post-service in civilian jobs

Statistic 116

Women in entry-level positions face 40% more sexual harassment than senior roles

Statistic 117

58% of bisexual women reported workplace sexual harassment

Statistic 118

Rural women experience 18% higher rates of unreported sexual harassment

Statistic 119

67% of female gig economy workers faced sexual harassment

Statistic 120

Women with higher education report 10% less sexual harassment than those without degrees

Statistic 121

49% of Native American women in workplaces reported sexual harassment

Statistic 122

Female part-time workers face 22% higher sexual harassment risks

Statistic 123

61% of women in STEM fields under 30 reported harassment

Statistic 124

Middle-aged women (35-50) report 25% of total sexual harassment cases

Statistic 125

54% of female entrepreneurs experienced sexual harassment from investors

Statistic 126

Women in sales roles report 35% incidence of sexual harassment

Statistic 127

63% of female union members faced sexual harassment

Statistic 128

56% of women in customer service roles experienced harassment

1/128

Sources

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If you think sexual harassment at work is an isolated problem, consider this staggering reality: across industries and demographics, the data reveals that harassment is not a rare workplace anomaly but a pervasive epidemic—from 85% of women experiencing it in their careers to 75% of male perpetrators holding positions of power—that systematically damages lives and livelihoods.

Key Takeaways

85% of women have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace at some point in their careers
25% of women reported experiencing severe forms of sexual harassment such as unwanted touching in the workplace
Globally, 23% of women in paid work have experienced sexual harassment
Women aged 18-24 are 1.5 times more likely to experience workplace sexual harassment
60% of sexual harassment victims in the workplace are women under 35 years old
Black women face 1.6 times higher rates of sexual harassment than white women at work
75% of male perpetrators are supervisors or in positions of power
40% of workplace sexual harassers are peers or co-workers of similar rank
Men aged 30-50 commit 60% of reported workplace sexual harassment incidents
Only 6% of sexual harassment complaints lead to perpetrator termination
75-90% of workplace sexual harassment goes unreported
Women file 80% of formal sexual harassment charges with EEOC
Sexual harassment causes 19 million lost workdays annually in the US
Victims of sexual harassment are 2.2 times more likely to quit their jobs
50% of victims experience severe psychological distress post-harassment

Sexual harassment in the workplace is a widespread and devastatingly common global crisis.

Impacts and Outcomes

Sexual harassment causes 19 million lost workdays annually in the US
Victims of sexual harassment are 2.2 times more likely to quit their jobs
50% of victims experience severe psychological distress post-harassment
Sexual harassment leads to $2.6 billion in lost productivity yearly
42% of victims report long-term career setbacks
PTSD rates among victims are 4 times higher than non-victims
35% of victims suffer depression requiring treatment
Turnover costs from harassment average $15,000 per victim
60% of victims experience decreased job performance
Health care costs for victims are 1.7 times higher
28% of victims change careers entirely due to harassment
Absenteeism increases by 22 days per year for victims
45% report strained personal relationships post-incident
Suicide ideation rises 3x among harassment victims
52% of victims face physical health issues like hypertension
Earnings drop 30% for women post-lawsuit settlements
38% of victims avoid promotions fearing retaliation
Alcohol use disorders increase 50% among victims
65% experience sleep disorders lasting over 6 months
Corporate lawsuits cost firms $12.7 million on average per case
70% of victims distrust management post-incident
Innovation drops 15% in teams with harassment history
41% of victims relocate for new jobs
Anxiety disorders affect 48% of long-term victims

Impacts and Outcomes Interpretation

This horrifying cascade of statistics reveals that sexual harassment isn't just a profound human tragedy, but a brutally expensive, productivity-sinking business cancer that systematically dismantles careers, health, trust, and the bottom line.

Perpetrator Profiles

75% of male perpetrators are supervisors or in positions of power
40% of workplace sexual harassers are peers or co-workers of similar rank
Men aged 30-50 commit 60% of reported workplace sexual harassment incidents
25% of perpetrators have prior disciplinary records for harassment
Senior executives account for 35% of sexual harassment complaints
15% of harassers are clients or customers external to the organization
White men perpetrate 55% of cross-racial sexual harassment cases
20% of perpetrators are repeat offenders within the same workplace
Male supervisors over 40 are 2x more likely to harass female subordinates
30% of harassers hold managerial positions in small businesses
Alcohol-influenced incidents involve 18% of perpetrators at work events
45% of perpetrators deny allegations when confronted
Non-binary identified perpetrators account for 5% of cases
28% of harassers are in sales or client-facing roles
Perpetrators with military background commit 12% higher rates
22% of harassers are temporary or contract workers
Older male perpetrators (over 55) target younger victims 70% of the time
35% of perpetrators in tech are engineers or developers
Harassers in unions represent 10% of cases despite smaller numbers
19% of perpetrators are from HR or compliance departments ironically
Male perpetrators in academia are 80% tenured faculty
26% of harassers have substance abuse issues documented
Perpetrators in healthcare are 40% physicians or doctors
32% of harassers are first-time offenders under 30

Perpetrator Profiles Interpretation

When you look beyond the shocking headline that three-quarters of harassers are supervisors, a grim arithmetic emerges: power, privilege, and permissive structures embolden a predictable cohort of men, primarily in authority, to weaponize their positions, creating a systemic crisis disguised as a series of individual incidents.

Prevalence and Frequency

85% of women have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace at some point in their careers
25% of women reported experiencing severe forms of sexual harassment such as unwanted touching in the workplace
Globally, 23% of women in paid work have experienced sexual harassment
77% of workers in the US have experienced some form of workplace harassment, with sexual harassment comprising 38%
In a survey of 6,000 individuals, 59% of women reported sexual harassment at work
40% of women in federal workplaces reported sexual harassment incidents between 2015-2016
81% of women and 43% of men experienced sexual harassment in their lifetime, with 60% workplace-related
In Hollywood, 87% of women reported experiencing sexual harassment at work
27% of US workers experienced sexual harassment weekly or daily
60% of female doctors reported sexual harassment by colleagues
52% of women in politics faced sexual harassment
In Australia, 33% of women experienced workplace sexual harassment
70% of hospitality workers reported sexual harassment
41% of LGBTQ+ employees experienced sexual harassment at work
29% of men and 44% of women in the military faced sexual harassment
65% of women executives reported sexual harassment
In India, 52% of working women faced sexual harassment
38% of female firefighters reported sexual harassment
50% of nurses experienced sexual harassment from patients or staff
75% of women in media reported sexual harassment
31% of UK workers experienced sexual harassment
42% of women in academia faced sexual harassment
55% of retail workers reported sexual harassment
68% of female journalists experienced sexual harassment
47% of women in finance reported sexual harassment
39% of construction workers faced sexual harassment
62% of women in gaming industry reported sexual harassment
53% of female lawyers experienced sexual harassment
46% of women in manufacturing reported sexual harassment

Prevalence and Frequency Interpretation

A chilling chorus of statistics proves that workplace sexual harassment is not a series of isolated incidents but a systemic epidemic, silencing and sidelining talent across every imaginable profession, from Hollywood to hospitals, and from boardrooms to firehouses.

Reporting Behaviors

Only 6% of sexual harassment complaints lead to perpetrator termination
75-90% of workplace sexual harassment goes unreported
Women file 80% of formal sexual harassment charges with EEOC
30% of victims report to HR, but only 10% see action taken
Anonymous reporting systems increase disclosures by 50%
15% of reports result in lawsuits filed by victims
Black women report at 20% lower rates due to retaliation fears
40% of millennials report harassment via social media instead of HR
Unionized workplaces see 25% higher reporting rates
Only 12% of male victims formally report sexual harassment
55% of victims consult friends before reporting officially
Post-#MeToo, reporting increased by 13% in 2018
28% of reports are dropped due to insufficient evidence
Gig workers report at 5% rate due to lack of HR
65% fear retaliation, primary barrier to reporting
Online reporting tools boost rates by 35% in large firms
22% of reports come from witnesses, not direct victims
Small businesses (<50 employees) have 70% lower reporting rates
18% of reports lead to mediation instead of investigation
LGBTQ+ reporting rates are 10% higher post-policy changes
45% of academic reports are filed after tenure decisions
Hotline reporting increased 200% after training programs
9% of reports result in criminal charges
Victims over 50 report at 15% rate compared to 40% under 30
33% of healthcare workers report internally within 24 hours

Reporting Behaviors Interpretation

The statistics paint a damning portrait of a system where reporting harassment is an act of immense courage against a tide of fear, futility, and failure, yet the faint glimmers of progress show that when safe channels are genuinely provided, people will bravely step forward.

Victim Profiles

Women aged 18-24 are 1.5 times more likely to experience workplace sexual harassment
60% of sexual harassment victims in the workplace are women under 35 years old
Black women face 1.6 times higher rates of sexual harassment than white women at work
70% of transgender employees reported sexual harassment, compared to 45% cisgender women
Latina women experience workplace sexual harassment at rates 20% higher than non-Latina women
Single women are 2 times more likely to report sexual harassment than married women
55% of female minimum wage workers faced sexual harassment
Women with children under 18 report 15% higher incidence of sexual harassment
65% of disabled women experienced workplace sexual harassment
Immigrant women face sexual harassment rates 25% above native-born women
72% of young female interns reported sexual harassment
Asian American women report 30% higher sexual harassment in professional services
50% of female veterans experienced sexual harassment post-service in civilian jobs
Women in entry-level positions face 40% more sexual harassment than senior roles
58% of bisexual women reported workplace sexual harassment
Rural women experience 18% higher rates of unreported sexual harassment
67% of female gig economy workers faced sexual harassment
Women with higher education report 10% less sexual harassment than those without degrees
49% of Native American women in workplaces reported sexual harassment
Female part-time workers face 22% higher sexual harassment risks
61% of women in STEM fields under 30 reported harassment
Middle-aged women (35-50) report 25% of total sexual harassment cases
54% of female entrepreneurs experienced sexual harassment from investors
Women in sales roles report 35% incidence of sexual harassment
63% of female union members faced sexual harassment
56% of women in customer service roles experienced harassment

Victim Profiles Interpretation

This sobering constellation of data points reveals that sexual harassment in the workplace is not a random misfortune, but a systemic epidemic that predictably preys upon the young, the marginalized, and those perceived to have the least power to fight back.