A just-released survey conducted in the Cayman Islands has found that about half of the people questioned have been stalked and two out of five respondents have suffered sexual harassment.
The Young Business and Professional Women’s Club (Young BPW) Sexual Harassment and Stalking Taskforce announced the publication of the report, which was completed in April.
Taskforce Chair Joannah Bodden-Small noted that a high number of respondents had experienced inappropriate behavior.
“In the lead-up to launching the survey, members of the taskforce were aware that there were people experiencing stalking and/or sexual harassment in the Cayman Islands, and so in that respect the results of the survey were not surprising in confirming those facts,” she said. “However, what did give cause for concern is the large number of men and women who, based on the results of the survey, are experiencing these issues in the Cayman Islands,” Mrs Bodden-Small added.
The survey, which was launched in September 2006, was the first attempt to quantify public opinion on harassment and stalking issues in the Cayman Islands.
“The fact that there were 637 respondents is a testament to the many people in the community who are interested in the subjects and affected by them in one way or another,” she said.
The findings show that 47 percent of the respondents had experienced at least one type of stalking behaviour and 42 percent had experienced at least one type of sexual harassment behaviour.
The survey also found that the most common type of stalking involved being repeatedly pressured for dates or a romantic relationship when it was unwanted or uninvited. The most common type of sexual harassment was repeatedly receiving sexually suggestive comments, gestures, or looks when they were unwanted or uninvited.
In addition to the survey, the taskforce has completed a review of local legislation regarding the protection of victims of sexual harassment or stalking.
The group has also studied stalking and sexual harassment legislation in 12 other jurisdictions, Mrs Bodden-Small said. “The taskforce hopes to complete this summary report by the end of this month,” she added.
Some of the jurisdictions included in the review were the Bahamas, Belize, Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada.
“Once both reports are completed, the taskforce will use these reports and the survey results to assist in formulating the legislative recommendations with the expectation of presenting the recommendations (to the Government) by the end of August 2008,” Mrs Bodden-Small said. “The survey results provide the taskforce with an invaluable tool which will aid in formulating the legislative recommendations,” she added.
The Young BPW Sexual Harassment and Stalking Taskforce was created in 2005 to investigate whether sexual harassment and stalking are occurring in the Cayman Islands and to assess what protections are afforded to victims of these behaviours under existing local laws.
The survey results were analysed by US-based MCG, LLC, an independent consulting firm whose clients include Harvard Medical School, Stanford School of Medicine, Starbucks and Visa. The survey results and information on the taskforce are available at www.protectcayman.ky.
