Tackling sexual harassment in the workplace—lessons to be learned

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of the hashtag social movement #BalanceTonPorc on women in France who have experienced workplace sexual harassment. The study aims to explore the extent to which the movement has inspired targets to report incidents of harassment and to seek justice, as well as to evaluate its influence on their self-awareness of harassment. Moreover, it identifies factors within the movement that may have limited its effectiveness in achieving positive outcomes. Drawing on interview data, the findings reveal that although participants expressed awareness of and appreciation for the movement, they perceived it as ineffective in driving meaningful change in their daily lives, workplace practices, or societal recognition of their rights. These results challenge the perception of hashtag activism as a definitive solution to workplace sexual harassment, underscoring the need for more comprehensive strategies and systemic efforts to address this pervasive issue.