IMPACT ON THE VICTIM AND THE ORGANIZATION

EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL CONSEQUENCES ON THE VICTIM

Sexual harassment is not a simple annoyance; it is a traumatic event with profound effects on the victim's overall health.

Reactions may be immediate or manifest themselves some time later, ranging from stress and anxiety to clinical depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

On an emotional level, the victim often experiences shame, guilt (unwarranted self-blame), anger, isolation, and a sense of helplessness and hopelessness. Physically, the body somatizes the trauma.

If Frida Kahlo suffered continuous harassment in her studio, she might begin to suffer from chronic headaches, sleep disorders (nightmares, insomnia), extreme fatigue, gastrointestinal problems and drastic changes in appetite.

Constant stress weakens the immune system, making the employee more susceptible to illness.

It is crucial to understand that the impact validates the harassment; it doesn't matter if the aggressor "meant no harm," the damage to the victim's health is proof of the hostile environment.

EFFECT ON PRODUCTIVITY, ABSENTEEISM AND STAFF TURNOVER

At the professional level, harassment acts as a direct sabotage to performance. The victim loses motivation, loyalty to the company and the ability to concentrate, as his or her mental energy is diverted towards emotional survival and avoidance of the harasser.

This results in increased absenteeism (missing work to avoid trauma), excessive use of sick leave and, finally, resignation.

Statistics show that a high percentage of victims leave their jobs due to harassment, representing an unrecoverable talent drain.

Imagine the scientist Marie Curie being harassed by a colleague in the laboratory.

Her productivity would decrease not because of lack of ability, but because of the fear and discomfort of being in the same space as her aggressor.

She might start coming in late, leave early, or seek employment at another institution, depriving her current employer of her talent and discoveries.

The loss of productivity and the costs of recruiting to replace her are direct damage to the organization.

REPUTATIONAL AND FINANCIAL DAMAGE TO THE COMPANY

For the organization, tolerating harassment is a suicidal strategy. Beyond legal redress and fines, the hidden cost lies in the erosion of corporate culture and public image.

A toxic environment reduces the overall morale of all employees, not just the direct victims.

Moreover, in the information age, news of harassment spreads quickly, damaging the employer brand and customer perception.

If Henry Ford's company became notorious for covering up systematic harassment of its female employees, it would face consumer boycotts, loss of investors, and ext