Police Officers Moved by MeToo : Increased Victim Awareness While Sexual Harassment Persists

Abstract

This research explores changes in the prevalence and nature of sexual harassment and the potential impact of the MeToo movement on police officers. Drawing on a whole population survey data from the Icelandic police in 2013 and 2022, we find self-labeling as victims of sexual harassment has increased, but no significant changes in exposure to sexually harassing behaviors. Consistent with previous research, the prevalence and manifestations of sexual harassment are gendered. However, our findings indicate that many police officers, especially women, have altered their behavior or shared their experiences of harassment or violence since the start of MeToo. We argue that the rise in self-labeled sexual harassment can be attributed to increased awareness brought by the MeToo movement. However, the absence of changes in exposure to sexually harassing behaviors indicates that it remains a gendered problem, entrenched in the masculinity contest culture of the police.