Sexual harassment in the workplace doesn’t persist only because of harassers. It also continues because witnesses hesitate to act. And that hesitation, according to a study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology by Yijue Liang and YoungAh Park, has a lot to do with organizational culture—especially in workplaces steeped in masculine norms.
The researchers surveyed nearly a thousand American employees who had witnessed incidents of sexual harassment at work. They identified five ways bystanders tend to respond: confronting the harasser, distracting to defuse the situation, supporting the target, reporting the incident, or discussing it with colleagues. Combining these behaviours, they found three distinct profiles:
- Active responders, who take action on multiple fronts: confronting, reporting, supporting.
- Cautious supporters, who offer emotional help or indirect gestures.
- Non-interveners, who avoid getting involved altogether.
The study also shows that emotions matter. Anger at injustice tends to drive action, while empathy often leads to quiet support. But the real difference lies in employees’ trust in their organization. When people believe they’ll be backed rather than punished, they’re far more likely to speak up. In short, preventing harassment isn’t about more mandatory training. It’s about creating a culture where taking action feels normal and safe—even in the most masculine workplaces.