U.S. Agricultural Workers Fear Reporting Sexual Harassment

 Posted on September 23, 2025 in Sexual Harassment

Although most workers know the standard steps to take if sexually harassed on the job—telling the harasser to stop, documenting the harassment, and reporting it to company leadership or seeking legal assistance—many foreign workers on work visas remain reluctant to report, fearing immediate retaliation.

One woman tells a story of working on a large fruit farm when her supervisor began making sexual comments about her body, even filming her as she stood on a ladder to cut branches. Following proper procedure, the woman reported the sexual harassment to the manager. Unfortunately, rather than putting an end to the sexual harassment, she was assigned to much more physically demanding jobs. She was given jobs such as digging postholes in hard, rocky ground and moving heavy wooden posts and other heavy objects.  

Typically, these were jobs reserved for the youngest and strongest men. Feeling isolated from her female co-workers, the woman believes now that she made a mistake reporting the sexual harassment and "doing the right thing." When asked if she would report the sexual harassment to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) if it became worse, she said that she would not.

Few foreign workers on work visas have faith in the system that is supposed to protect them. If you have suffered sexual harassment in the workplace, it can be beneficial to speak to a highly experienced Wheaton, IL sexual harassment lawyer.

The Scope of the Problem of Sexual Harassment in U.S. Agricultural Jobs

Many agricultural workers are immigrants, seasonal laborers, and are here on work visas. This status compels them to stay silent when they experience sexual harassment out of fear of job or housing loss, or consequences because of their visa status. Unfortunately, the barriers faced by many of these farmworkers leave them vulnerable in one of the country’s most essential – but least visible – industries.

Studies show that between 80 and 90 percent (a staggering number) of Mexican and Mexican American women farmworkers in the U.S. have experienced some form of sexual harassment at work. Factors that contribute to the high prevalence of sexual harassment include language barriers, economic vulnerability, fear of retaliation, and power imbalances between supervisors and workers.

Even worse, rape is common enough for some of these female farmworkers to call their workplace the "fields of panties," among themselves. For comparison, about 38 percent of women across the United States report experiencing some level of sexual harassment.

What Are the Underlying Issues Regarding Sexual Harassment and Farmworkers?

Despite being so widespread in agricultural workplaces, sexual harassment is often seen as a "hidden" workplace issue. Because female farmworkers have been treated as sex objects in their work environment for generations, even today, despite the pervasive nature of the problem, they are hesitant to report sexual harassment. Further, the isolated nature of agricultural work makes it more difficult for female farmworkers to report sexual harassment.  

These vulnerable women have a clear power imbalance, and almost all of them financially need their jobs. They fear job loss, reduced hours, more difficult working conditions, and even loss of work visa if they report sexual harassment. Many of these women are also reliant on employer-provided housing and transportation. Finally, there are cultural pressures that keep many female farmworkers silent about sexual harassment on the job.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Sexual Harassment Lawyer

Do not assume you have no recourse simply because you work on a farm and are here on a work visa. An experienced Wheaton, IL sexual harassment in the workplace attorney from Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC is ready to help you. At MKFM Law, we know how difficult it is to speak up about sexual harassment in the workplace, and our attorneys will take the time to make you feel comfortable. To schedule your initial attorney meeting, call 630-665-7300.