Higher Than the National Average
Sexual harassment attorneys such as myself do not see a tapering off of sexual harassment or sexual molestation cases, unfortunately. And no wonder, when looking at the statistics on these cases in California. Recent studies and statistics show that California has a higher percentage of hostile work environment/sexual harassment cases compared to the rest of the nation.
We can only speculate as to the reason for the higher numbers but it does tend to keep sexual harassment lawyers in Orange County busier than their counterparts in other states. We’ve made reference earlier to a joint study undertaken by the Center for Gender Equity and Health (GEH) at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and the nonprofit California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA), but it bears repeating and looking at the numbers once more.
The finding of this joint study done in 2019 concluded that foreign-born men and gay and lesbian Californians are at increased risk of being sexually harassed. Other findings were that men and women in general in California reported more incidents of sexual harassment than those in other states. For men 53 percent reported some form of harassment compared to the national average of 43 percent. For California women 86 percent reported incidents of harassment vs. 81 percent nationally.
The director of CALCASA, David Lee, stated that in light of the study’s findings more needs to be done in California (and indeed elsewhere) to educate the public about sexual consent.
To us in this law practice, it seems self-evident that unwanted sexual advances, comments or touching are our of bounds—always inappropriate and in most cases illegal. Yet, so many in our society seem to hold themselves above or outside the law and continue to commit these transgressions.
Sexual Molestation In and Around Tustin
A hostile workplace, replete with unwanted sexual advances is in and of itself troubling. It’s also against the law and hiring a good sexual harassment attorney puts the resources of the legal system to work for you. However, as disturbing and improper as sexual remarks or inappropriate touching are, when harassment turns to actual sexual acts, the victims can be completely devastated. Again, as a sexual molestation attorney, one constantly wonder why acts of this nature continue to be committed. Again, we’re left to speculate. We don’t have much time to devote to trying to comprehend the mind and motives of a sexual predator, however. It’s the lawyer’s job to make sure the client, the sexual molestation victim, is treated equitably by the justice system and those responsible are made to pay for the damage and trauma (physical and emotional) that they’ve caused.
We’re a legal resource for sexual harassment in Tustin
For an Orange County city such as Tustin with a population (including North Tustin) of around 100,000, it may seem like incidents of this nature don’t occur. We may be looking at our community with rose colored glasses believing that our (relatively) small community is exempt from sexual improprieties. Of course that would be wrong. In Tustin as well as other similar Orange County cities, these types of acts are committed with disturbing regularity. In the case of sexual molestation, the use (or rather, abuse) of power by a superior can occur in a community of any size.
Underlying Causes of Sexual Harassment or Molestation
The study did not go into great detail as to underlying causes for sexual harassment, however it did touch on the fact that many who say they have committed sexual harassment were indeed victims of harassment previously. Whether there is a cause and effect relationship between these observations may not be clear. What is clear is that molestion, abuse and harassment continue to plague the state of California and at greater rates than elsewhere in the country. With many if not all of these types of transgressions already illegal, it does not seem that increased legislation will address the problem since, as we’ve alluded to, perpetrators may feel themselves above the law. Education may be effective—it’s difficult to say. One thing is certain, sexual harassment lawyers will continue to represent clients who’ve experienced this type of victimization and trying to make examples out of the transgressors.
Kyle Scott is a Tustin sexual harassment attorney who has tried many cases on behalf of client who have experienced these acts and has secured substantial damages for sexual molestation victims. If you or a loved one has suffered sexual harassment or molestation, please call Kyle Scott Law for a free and confidential case analysis. 714-544-1460.