The Consequences of Sexual Harassment in Australian Nightlife Settings

Sexual harassment and assault are common in Australian nightlife settings; however, the consequences of such harm and factors influencing patrons' vulnerability to negative outcomes remain under-researched. This study aims to examine (a) the consequences of nightlife-related verbal (e.g., unsolicited sexual comments) and physical (e.g., groping) sexual harassment/assault, as well as pressured sexual contact and (b) the factors associated with these consequences, including demographics, prior experiences of sexual harassment, and frequency of nightlife attendance. Australian adults (N = 467; 72% women) who had experienced sexual harassment in nightlife settings in the past 12 months were recruited via social media advertisements and an online panel service (aged 18-64, Mdn = 25, IQR = 22, 29). Participants completed an online survey examining their experiences and consequence of nightlife sexual harassment. Very few participants reported no negative consequences following experiences of verbal harassment (2%), physical harassment/assault (4%), or pressured sexual contact (5%) in a nightlife setting in the prior 12 months. Anxiety (56%-63% range), discomfort (51%-62% range), and anger (44%-52% range) were the most frequently reported consequences. Negative binomial regression analyses found that identifying as a woman or gender-diverse, working as venue staff, and experiencing multiple harassment types was associated with reporting significantly more consequences for verbal sexual harassment. For physical sexual harassment, younger age, infrequent nightlife attendance, and experiencing multiple harassment types were associated with greater consequences, while for pressured sexual contact, only gender was significant, with women reporting more consequences than men. Sexual harassment in nightlife settings is associated with significant adverse emotional and behavioral outcomes, particularly among women, gender-diverse individuals, and those subject to multiple forms of harassment. Preventive interventions must be implemented to reduce nightlife-related sexual harassment and the associated consequences.