NCJ Number
141071
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Education Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: special issue (Fall 1992) Pages: 331-340
Date Published
1992
Length
10 pages
Annotation
A pilot survey gathered information regarding sexual harassment and sexual safety among members of the Women and Crime Division of the American Society of Criminology.
Abstract
Sixty-five of the 220 questionnaires were distributed in late August/September 1991, for a response rate of 27 percent. Six men and 58 women took part. Respondents ranged in age from the mid-20's to the early 60s. Most were white and employed as full-time university professors. Results revealed that 59 percent had received a variety of irritating and demeaning comments about their sexuality during their graduate training. These remarks were occasionally colored by racist and homophobic references. Some participants also reported voluntary sexual involvement as students; 17 percent had sexual relationships with their professors, ranging from one-night encounters to lifelong commitments. Results indicated the need for debate and discussions of the impact of sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, and sexuality for females as professionals in the field of criminal justice and criminology. Support and recognition of the abuse many women have experienced are needed to confront behavior that is professionally unacceptable.