MeTooOT: Sexual Harassment Experiences of Occupational Therapy Academics and Implications for Rehabilitation Science

Research Objectives We aimed to describe experiences of sexual harassment of female-identifying academic OT practitioners. Design We used Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis to examine participants’ experiences collected through semi-structured interviews and full-text descriptions of experiences. Setting All participants worked or had worked in academia. Participants Ten participants entered text via a survey, uploaded text via a survey, and/or completed Zoom interviews, some participating in multiple ways, resulting in 13 transcripts for analysis. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Themes from semi-structured interviews. Results Participants reported a range of experiences with sexual harassment and its effects on their personal and professional lives. Experiences ranged from inappropriate comments and micro aggressions to coercion, sexual assault, and stalking. Participants reported not attending conferences to avoid specific perpetrators, having work intentionally delayed or stolen by the perpetrator, and leaving their jobs altogether. Four themes were generated to describe these experiences: (1) Blurred lines, (2) Unbalanced consequences, (3) How did I get here?, and (4) We don't talk about it. Across the themes, power dynamics inherent in the harassment experiences were a constant, underlying thread running. Conclusions Sexual harassment of female OT academics is an ongoing problem and is damaging to short- and long-term personal and professional growth. We suggest that the focus of eliminating sexual harassment must include improving organizational culture, awareness, expectations, re-establishing norms, and supporting victims’ safety in all realms, physical, mental, and professional. Author(s) Disclosures Nothing to disclose.