MeTooOT: Sexual Harassment Experiences of Occupational Therapy Academics and Recommendations for Systemic Change.
Rachel Proffitt, Bridget Kraus, Amanda C Jozkowski and 5 others
PMID 36762502WHAT IT FOUND
Female occupational therapy academics described sexual harassment as escalating from blurred boundaries to severe personal and professional penalties, while perpetrators faced minimal consequences.
Participants cited fear of retaliation and a lack of supportive reporting systems as primary reasons for silence.
Key findings
01Participants reported experiences ranging from microaggressions to sexual assault, with consequences including depression, career stagnation, and leaving the profession.
02Most participants perceived the consequences for perpetrators as minimal, with many advancing in their careers despite the harassment.
03Barriers to reporting included confusing institutional processes, fear of retribution, and a lack of support from senior colleagues.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study used convenience sampling, which limits the generalizability of the findings. Participants were predominantly white, cis-gender females, so the experiences of men and minority groups are not represented. The sample was limited to those willing to speak up, likely missing incidents involving individuals who remained silent. Most participants were early-career, which may not reflect the perspectives of more senior faculty. The small number of transcripts (13) means the findings are descriptive rather than representative of the entire profession.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (Intramural).
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these themes as evidence of the prevalence of sexual harassment in occupational therapy. This study describes the experiences of a small, self-selected group of women who were willing to speak, so it cannot quantify how common these events are or represent the views of men or minority groups in the profession.