A lot of women experience but very few speak

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Camille Garnier

Saturday, 21 October, 2017 08:00

UPDATE
Saturday, 21 October, 2017 08:00

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Four in 10 women say they have been victims of sexual harassment, but very rare are those who have dared to denounce according to a poll by Léger for The Journal.

This disturbing finding may be explained by the fact that in the majority of cases, the harasser was in a position of authority or power over his victim.

“It is a given that we refers to the recent cases of Eric Salvail, Gilbert Rozon or Michel Burned,” says Christian Bourque, vice-president of the consulting firm surveys Light. It is difficult to denounce his superior, especially when he is an influential man and was known by the public. “

Sign that these recent scandals have marked the opinion, almost all Quebecers now consider that sexual harassment is an important topic.

“A week ago, we would maybe not obtain this response,” says Bourque. In a few days and under the effect of a series of revelations, Quebec has changed. “

Generations

This change is driven by a younger generation more aware of and able to report abuse than their elders.

Among victims of stalking between the ages of 18 to 34 years of age, a quarter denounced the facts, five times more than in the 35-54 years.

If men are less likely to be part of these victims, it is to be noted that when the harassment occurs in a family or home, they are almost as numerous as women to suffer.

The survey

Do you believe that other cases of sexual harassment involving public figures will be revealed over the next few days ?

• Likely: 54%

• Definitely: 40%

• Probably not: 2%

• Certainly not: 0%

In the last few days, have you heard about the movement #MoiAussi / #MeToo which denounces the phenomenon of sexual harassment ?

• Yes: 86%

• No: 12%

• Don’t know / Doesn’t answer: 2%

Have you personally been the victim of sexual harassment ?

Yes

• Men: 15%

• Women: 40%

Not

• Men: 83%

• Women: 57%

In which(s) context(s) have you been the victim of sexual harassment ?

• At my home / In my family: 40%

• At work: 38%

• In the street / bus / subway / park: 31%

• In a bar / restaurant / room show: 21 %

• Other public places: 20 %

• School / College / University: 15 %

Is it happened that the person who harassed you was in a position of power or authority ?

• Yes: 62%
• No: 35%
• Don’t know / Doesn’t answer: 2%

Have you complained formally to the sexual harassment which you have been a victim ?

• Yes: 14%
• No: 85% (Men 20 %, Women 13 %)

Have you personally witnessed sexual harassment situations ?

• Yes: 25%
• No: 71 %
• Don’t know / Does not answer: 4%

Have you complained formally to the sexual harassment that you have witnessed ?

• Yes: 31%
• No: 65%

Do you believe that sexual harassment is an important phenomenon in Quebec ?

• Very important: 41% (Men 28 %, Women 52 %)
• Rather important: 44% (Men 50 % Women 39 %)
• Not important: 9% (Men 16 %, Women 3 %)
• Not at all important: 1% (Men 2 % Women 0 %)
• Don’t know: 5% (Men 4% Women 5 %)

METHODOLOGY

The present study has been carried out by means of an internet survey among the general public in all regions of Quebec. In total, 601 respondents aged 18 years and older and able to express themselves in English or French were interviewed on October 20, 2017. The final data from the survey have been weighted using data from the 2011 census. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of 600 respondents would have a margin of error of +/- 4.0 per cent, and this, in 19 cases out of 20.