The social context of sexual harassment as a gender-based form of mobbing

Mobbing represents systemic, moderate, and planned psychological violence aimed at the degradation of the worker, while sexual harassment refers to an act of gender-shaped violence that shows inequalities in the workplace due to the division of power. Feminist theories, led by the theory of Catharine MacKinnon, represent a symbol of the struggle against this form of behavior. Although there is a large number of researches on mobbing and sexual harassment, awareness of the mentioned phenomena is still not sufficiently developed in society. For this reason, it is necessary to continue research in order to better understand the problem. The paper aims to connect existing theoretical knowledge about mobbing and sexual harassment, as well as to present their causes and consequences. The role of organizational culture is important in order to potentially recognize and prevent violence in time. A review of the relevant literature has shown numerous consequences of sexual harassment. Apart from the victim, the consequences are borne by the organization and society as a whole. The normalization of this phenomenon within society represents a huge obstacle and makes its reporting to competent authorities difficult, which results in systemic neglect. The results of the reviewed literature indicate a large number of omissions when it comes to protecting workers from sexual harassment as a gendered form of mobbing. With adequate prevention, it is possible to react in a timely manner if violence occurs. The basis for creating a safe working environment is to view mobbing as a social, rather than an individual problem.