Sexual harassment is an issue that has been prevalent in the world for many years. It is a form of sexual abuse where one individual uses forceful or unwelcomed conduct to another person based on their gender or sexual orientation. This can include verbal comments, gestures, jokes, acts or threats that are made with the intention of creating discomfort, distress or humiliation towards the victim. It can also be described as any unwanted sexual behavior that violates someone's dignity or creates a hostile environment at work, home, school, university or public places. Sexual assault refers to any type of physical contact or action that occurs without consent from either party involved in it. The impacts of both these types of incidents are long lasting and affect victims psychologically and physically. Both men and women can be affected by this kind of violence which may lead to depression, anxiety disorders such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse problems like alcoholism or drug addiction, eating disorders like bulimia nervosa/anorexia nervosa etc., sleep disorders like insomnia and nightmares among others. Victims may develop low self-esteem because they feel powerlessness over what happened to them making it difficult for them to trust people around them again or seek help when needed most especially if there are no signs of remorse shown by perpetrators who committed the crime against them. Furthermore, some victims experience flashbacks when triggered with similar situations while others become hyper vigilant leading to fearfulness even after years have passed since the incident took place which could lead to isolation due lack of social support systems available at hand causing loneliness.
The effects of sexual harassment on victims are far reaching including emotional damage caused by shame, guilt, embarrassment or stigma associated with reporting an incident despite efforts made towards changing laws regarding such cases; economic costs resulting from missed time off work due to therapy sessions or loss wages while attempting legal proceedings against their aggressor(s); physical pain inflicted upon them during assault episodes such as bruising caused by strangulation, choking or hitting, tearing clothing apart in attempt rape incidents leading to scarring/disfigurement requiring cosmetic surgery afterwards; health issues arising out these experiences like heart diseases caused by high blood pressure levels sustained throughout trauma period causing hypertension along with increased risks cardiac arrest later down line. Additionally, long term impacts include decreased productivity levels at workplaces resulting into poor job performances due fatigue caused by constant fear experienced everyday going into office premises where perpetrator still resides hence affecting overall organizational performance negatively too! However, seeking professional medical assistance immediately post-incident provides survivors chance heal properly mentally physically without putting further strain existing relationships around them through open dialogue discussions surrounding case details instead avoidance strategies used previously prior dealing issue directly head-on.