THE IMPLICATIONS OF FAITH-LOSS IN THE ENSNAREMENT OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE

Abstract

Sexual harassment/assault is a traumatic event, which could reduce the well-being and might occasion less or increased spiritual roles of the victim. Doubtless, humans are spiritual and often times affiliates/adherents of particular faiths. However, the philosophy of a higher or lower spiritual inclination, in consequence of sexual harassment, might be possible if the victims consider the demands of their faith before or after the occurrence of the sexual act; particularly, if the victim was in a position to take an action that could avert or mitigate the harassment/assault. It could also be a case of struggling with the act and the spiritual life, or a situation where the faith of such victim is challenged for overt or covert reasons, which culminated in succumbing to the harassment. Therefore, this research examined whether spirituality influences the decision of victims before falling prey to sexual harassment or not; which could be termed bold or timid, from the faith perspective. In addressing the issues raised in this study, the doctrinal research methodology was adopted. This involved exploring books and journal articles in hardcopy and electronic formats on spirituality, sexual harassment, and other cognate fields. The paper endeavoured to substantiate that some sexually harassed victims succumbed to sexual harassment or assault not because they were not spiritually inclined, but due to several factors, especially lack of faith or doubt in the spirituality. The Christian religion was predicated upon for the discourse, and the Nigeria society used as case study, for the ease of reference. The study made some viable recommendations simultaneously with the discussion, to help prevent people from further falling prey to sexual harassment/assault, as they leverage on faith to assume responsibility for their individual well-being in the workplace and elsewhere.