A behavioural science approach to combatting sexual harassment

Thoughts

16th March 2023

Walnut Unlimited

Back to insights

2 minutes read time

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram

What would you do if you saw someone being sexually harassed in public? Intervene? Offer support? Or do nothing?

Many of us like to feel that we would not be passive bystanders but, our research shows, not only is it not always clear when someone is being sexually harassed, but also there is a hidden barrier known as the bystander effect that stops people from intervening and supporting victims.

According to research from the Government Equalities Office, conducted in 2020, nearly three quarters (72%) of the UK population have experienced at least one form of sexual harassment in their lifetime, while two in five (43%) had experienced at least one sexual harassment behaviour in the last 12 months.

Through exploring wider attitudes towards sexual harassment, our research shows that tailoring communications is key. It is easy to assume that all people from the same perspective, but our segmentation highlights the nuanced picture of understanding and propensity to intervene among the population. This gives us a starting point to start a conversation about how to create communities in which all individuals are willing and able to intervene in situations of transgressive behaviour in a public place.

Because this is a complex and nuanced issue, we’ve conducted an extensive research project to start to understand what can be done. We started with an in depth Behavioural Science audit which comprised a literature review and a review of communications campaigns to understand the biases and heuristics at play. Using this insight, and maintaining a Behavioural Science approach throughout, we designed a programme of primary research: we conducted qualitative research in the form of in depth interviews and two quantitative surveys.

If you’d like to speak to one of our experts and receive a copy of the report please reach out to us on info@walnutunlimited.com to learn more.

Written by Walnut Unlimited Email Walnut Unlimited

More Insights

Wow Factor

Understanding the Nation

The Empathy Advantage

Developing Best-In-Class Packaging Grounded In Consumer Insight

The Retail Media Revolution

One Year On From Consumer Duty

Activation of a limited-edition pack celebrating 200 years for Cadbury

Brainy Bar: The art and science of emotion in brand marketing

Understanding the Nation: Election story Part 2

Understanding the Nation: Election story Part 1

How can consumer insight accelerate your brand in the world of fashion & beauty

Is There a Creative Spark Missing from Your B2B Research?

What did the Windows 11 update just reveal about human behaviour?

Global Accessibility Awareness Day: Making the digital world a more inclusive place

UNLIMITED including Walnut are acquired by Accenture Song

Exploring attitudes towards debt policies supporting people who are struggling with debt burden in Britian – March 2024

Applying behavioural science for Lowell to foster a better customer experience

It drew me in… Christmas advertising is not only about storytelling, it is about the story of us as humans

How Fashion Brands Turn Christmas Windows into Sensory Wonderlands

DEI and recruiting respondents in Market Research at Walnut

What Unlocking the Power of Attention Can Bring to Advertisers

Fuelling a campaign with the IAB using Strategic Consultancy & Implicit testing

This Girl Can: Nudging women and girls to get physically active.

A pack design to bring to life characterful ales.

Increasing diversity in rugby

Relaunching liquid electricals air fresheners in the EU.

Understanding the B2B telco customer experience in less researched markets.

Understanding the intangible: identifying brand assets.

Blending our sciences to advise on the perfect marinade

What makes a winning claim for Twinings Green Tea?

Beyond sofas, into beds – Applying behavioural science to optimise the shopper experience in dfs stores

Nudging the nation towards healthy and sustainable diets with IGD

Blending neuroscience and behavioural psychology for the National Trust

Optimising Global Travel Retail with applied Behavioural Science

Understanding people around the world to create new global packaging.

Building a lasting base of information to optimise a beverage portfolio and drive growth.

The real-time truth of a Formula 1 fan’s digital race experience.

Understanding the behavioural psychology of self-esteem for Slimming World.

Launching a plant-based food range across Europe with Nomad

Supporting the development of a healthy kids cereal for Jordans.

Tearing up the rule book on concept testing with O2.

Encouraging emotional decision making with Lowell

Reframing the shopping experience during Covid-19 with McArthurGlen.

Lidl & TBWA: optimising ads with emotional measurement.

Collecting customer feedback for Drax.

Research into the experience of gay men in 2023

Celebrating Neurodiversity at Walnut

Exploring Pride Month’s Impact: Celebrating Diversity, Striving for Equality

A partridge in a pairing tree: Christmas Food Pairings

Humans vs Machines: The Science Behind Taste & Smell

Walnut UNLIMITED’s Take on Women’s Equality Day 2022

Six steps to sustainability: a positive approach for brands.

Building brand equity through Christmas ads: spotlighting retailers.

How human understanding can help develop more effective packaging.

Qualitative research with children and young people.

The future of the UK convenience store market

The importance of the store environment.

Emotions matter in memory processing.

A behavioural science approach to combatting sexual harassment

More Insights

NEWSLETTER