Women Accused of Sexual Harassment

“A fascinating analysis of sexual harassment cases involving women as alleged perpetrators. Leslie Margolin raises important criticisms of the common assumption that women with power commit similar kinds of sexual harassment to men for similar reasons. His investigation of numerous cases shows that while men’s harassment follows clear patterns, harassment by women tends to be eclectic and, largely, distinct from that of men. He also shows that institutions tend to punish women harassers disproportionality compared to men. Margolin invites us to think more critically about the role of gender, power, and sexual desire in sexual harassment.” —Carol Harrington, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand This book examines whether sexual harassment allegations against women in colleges and universities are different from harassment allegations against men and whether they are judged differently, more harshly and restrictively. Do women accused of sexual harassment receive less social support and more condemnation than men accused of sexual harassment? Do women receive the same due process, the same penalties, the same chances for redemption? Through thematic and narrative analysis of publicly available sexual harassment records and archival sources, as well as college and university newspapers, social media posts, blogs, and videos, chapters demonstrate how sexual harassment allegations, when directed against women, represent another form of gender discrimination and a different way of impugning (sexually harassing) women. This book is relevant to scholars and students in gender and sexuality studies, feminist theory, criminal justice, and legal studies. Leslie Margolin teaches courses in human sexuality, counseling, psychology, and rhetoric at the University of Iowa, USA.