Every second Swiss journalist is harassed at work, according to a survey
In a survey of media professionals in Switzerland, one in two female journalists who participated reported experiencing sexual harassment at work. A total of 244 women and 34 men had been affected by at least one incident. Women just starting their careers were particularly at risk.
Tamedia conducted the survey on harassment and sexism in the workplace, which was published on Saturday. The survey was sent to 3429 media professionals in German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland. 755 people from TV, radio, print and online from all major media companies took part.
The anonymous online survey is not representative, but according to Tamedia it includes hundreds of cases described in detail. Previous surveys conducted by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) and Amnesty International on this topic have yielded lower figures in terms of the number of people affected.
In the study, 244 women (53%) and 34 men (11%) reported sexual assault or harassment at work. According to their statements, one media professional was raped in the office and another was forced to perform an unwanted sexual act. The participants frequently named superiors and external parties, such as interview partners like politicians or managers, as the accused parties.
The vast majority of the female journalists affected stated that they had been the target of verbal harassment such as insinuating remarks or sexist remarks. In three dozen cases, there was even harassment involving physical contact such as touching the breasts or buttocks. The respondents also described several dozen cases of intrusive stalking, for example by text message or email, or sexual harassment without physical contact. Many cases involved advances, sometimes with promises of advantages or threats of disadvantages from superiors.
Of the 200 women who responded, 158 said they had spoken to work colleagues, friends or family about the incidents. 27 did not speak to anyone about it. Only 15 women said they had contacted specialist agencies or the police. (SDA)
