Study Suggests Women in Leadership Positions Are More Likely to Be Victims of Sexual Harassment

 Posted on May 03, 2026 in Sexual Harassment

While sexual harassment exists in many work environments, studies have found that women who are higher up in organizations face more sexual harassment than other employees. This isn’t specific to women with "leader" or "manager" in their title. Women working at high levels in specialized fields such as higher education or medicine also face increased sexual harassment.

If you're a woman in a senior position or any position at all and you've experienced offensive or unwanted sexual harassing conduct at work in 2026, a DuPage County sexual harassment lawyer can help you understand your rights.

What Research Says About Sexual Harassment of Women in Advanced Career Positions

Several studies in the last few years have found that women in positions of authority are sexually harassed at higher rates than men or even than women in lower-ranking roles. A study published by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences reports that women supervisors are between 30 and 100 percent more likely to have experienced sexual harassment than other female employees. This is particularly true when most of the women’s subordinates are male.

This pattern frequently shows up in specific industries. Research on female surgeons found that 58 percent of women surgeons surveyed reported experiencing workplace sexual harassment in the previous 12 months. It also found that 84 percent of incidents were not reported to institutional authorities, with common reasons including fear of career harm, retaliation, or inaction.

Why Are Women in Senior Roles Sexually Harassed More Often Than Other Employees?

There are several reasons researchers believe women in leadership face heightened risk.

Backlash or Punishment

When women hold power in environments where men historically have, people may feel threatened and react negatively. Sexual harassment becomes a tool to undermine someone’s credibility or authority, or simply to punish them for their prominence. It sends a signal that she doesn't truly belong.

Isolation at the Top

Women in the senior roles of certain industries are often among the very few women at their level in an organization. This can make it harder to find support from peers who have had similar experiences. It can also make women more reluctant to report sexual harassment.

Power Doesn't Equal Protection

It might seem like a senior title would shield someone from inappropriate behavior. In practice, women in leadership are often still subordinate to other men in the organization. These men may be the ones doing the sexual harassing. They may also turn a blind eye to sexual harassment of female leaders by their male subordinates. In other cases, colleagues at the same level engage in sexual harassment as a form of competition.

How Does Illinois Law Protect Women in Leadership Positions from Sexual Harassment?

Illinois law takes sexual harassment seriously, regardless of the victim's job title or seniority. Under the Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/2-102(D)), employers are prohibited from engaging in or allowing sexual harassment in the workplace. This protection applies to everyone equally, no matter where they are in the company.

Illinois law also protects employees who report sexual harassment. Retaliation against someone for filing a complaint, such as a demotion, a negative performance review, or termination, is itself a violation of the law.

What Counts as Sexual Harassment Under Illinois Law?

According to Illinois law, sexual harassment can include:

• Unwanted touching, physical contact, or sexual advances
• Sexual or demeaning comments about a woman's appearance
• Jokes or remarks of a sexual nature
• Sharing sexually explicit images or messages
• Offering job benefits in exchange for sexual favors
• Threatening consequences for refusing sexual advances

A single incident can be enough to support a claim in some circumstances. In other cases, courts will look for a pattern of repeated behavior that creates a "hostile work environment." Keep in mind that this is not a comprehensive list. If you are dealing with a co-worker who makes you uncomfortable, an experienced attorney can help you understand your legal options.

What Should You Do if You're Being Sexually Harassed at Work?

If you're facing sexual harassment, you should begin documenting every incident as it happens. This includes dates, times, locations, and any witnesses. Save copies of any messages, emails, or other communications that relate to the sexual harassment. Report the conduct to your HR department or a supervisor above the harasser, if possible.

If your employer responds, keep a record of what they say. Also, make a note if they don’t respond. If you want to pursue legal action, speak with an attorney who has experience in sexual harassment cases. The sooner, the better, as Illinois does have deadlines that apply to these cases.

Call a Wheaton, IL Sexual Harassment Lawyer Today

If you’re working at a high level in any field, you don’t need to stay silent about sexual harassment to shield your career. Our DuPage County sexual harassment attorneys are prepared to help you build a more inviting workplace for yourself and every woman who is hired after you. MKFM Law serves clients throughout Illinois. Contact Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC at 630-665-7300 to schedule your initial attorney meeting today.