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Harassment and Discrimination at U.S. Social Work Conferences: Help-Seeking and Help-Giving Experiences and
Kristen E Ravi1, Lori Messinger1, Courtney Cronley1
1College of Social Work, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee.
Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work (2019)
|July 27, 2026
Summary
Most social work conference attendees experiencing harassment or discrimination disclose it, but few file formal complaints due to career concerns and fear of retaliation. Safer conference spaces require clear policies and reporting procedures.
Area of Science:
- Social Work Research
- Academic Conference Safety
- Professional Ethics
Background:
- Sexual harassment and discrimination are significant issues within academic settings.
- Understanding help-seeking behaviors is crucial for improving support systems at professional conferences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the experiences and perceptions of help-seeking among social work professionals who encountered sexual harassment or discrimination at academic conferences.
- To identify barriers and facilitators to reporting such incidents.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-method cross-sectional survey was administered to 290 social work conference attendees.
- Quantitative data were analyzed using chi-square tests, t-tests, and ANOVA.
- Qualitative data from open-ended responses were analyzed using content analysis.
Main Results:
- Nearly 90% of participants disclosed incidents of harassment or discrimination.
- Less than one-third filed formal complaints due to concerns about career impact and retaliation.
- Few attendees believed bystanders would intervene in observed incidents.
Conclusions:
- Social work academic organizations must establish robust anti-harassment policies and clear reporting mechanisms to foster safer professional environments.
- Addressing barriers to reporting, such as fear of retaliation, is essential.
- Future research should aim for more diverse and representative samples to capture a wider range of experiences.
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