Indirect Sexual Harassment in Conservative Societies: What We Don’t Know

Abstract

This study aims to explore the incidence of the sexual harassment of women within conservative Muslim societies. It investigates the factors that contribute to sexual harassment as well as the impact of informal cultural forces on the experiences of sexual harassment faced by women. The study draws on interviews with 22 women in leadership roles in the voluntary and non-profit sector. Three key themes emerged from the data analysis: Indirect sexual acts, causes of sexual harassment, and coercion, each accompanied by its respective subthemes. The implications of the findings for societal change are discussed, together with limitations and ideas for future research.