DURHAM, N.H.—More than half of women and nearly 25 percent of men in the Granite State have been victims of sexual harassment in the workplace, according to new research released by the Carsey School of Public Policy and the Prevention Innovations Research Center at the University of New Hampshire.

Women are more likely to suffer work-related consequences, including financial loss, being fired or demoted and experiencing a work transfer, than men (33 percent and 25 percent, respectively) but reported quitting their job as a result of the harassment more equally (21 percent vs. 17 percent).

“Sexual harassment reduces morale and job satisfaction, diminishes productivity and increases absenteeism,” the researchers said. “Employers would do well to invest in prevention, like bystander intervention training, and encourage victims’ use of supports to mitigate the negative effects of workplace sexual harassment.”

The full report can be found here: https://carsey.unh.edu/publication/nh-sexual-harrassment-work. The research was conducted by Kristin Smith, family demographer at Carsey and research associate professor of sociology; Sharyn Potter, executive director of research for the Prevention Innovations Research Center (PIRC) at UNH and professor of sociology; and Jane Stapleton, executive director of practice at PIRC.

The Carsey School of Public Policy conducts research, leadership development, and engaged scholarship relevant to public policy. They address pressing challenges, striving for innovative, responsive, and equitable solutions at all levels of government and in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.

The Prevention Innovations Research Center is internationally recognized for its collaborative research and community engagement focusing on sexual and relationship violence and stalking prevention and response. It conducts scholarly, cutting-edge research that informs policy and practice and convenes practitioners and researchers to develop strategies for evidence-based, innovative approaches to violence prevention.