The Cost of Silence: Why Sexual Harassment Has No Place in the Workplace

It was November 2002 when I stepped into a prestigious office building, eager to begin an internship that promised hands-on experience in a field I was passionate about. Fresh off winning a national pageant title and being a junior in college, I was filled with ambition. The opportunity to participate in critical conversations that shaped important decisions felt like the start of something extraordinary.

About two years in, I graduated with my bachelor’s degree and was fortunate to receive a full-time position working closely with the head of my division. This job opened doors to discussions on pressing global challenges and policy matters. It allowed me to travel, engage with influential figures and attend conferences where critical world issues were at the forefront. But it was on one of these very trips that the man I viewed as a mentor would shatter my trust.

During a long flight to Europe, I became ill. By the time I arrived at my hotel, I could barely stand. I told my boss I would miss the evening’s event to rest. Later that night, the phone rang. It was him, asking me to come to his room. I assumed it was about work. Perhaps he needed something for the next day’s meeting. I knocked on his door, expecting a discussion about documents or agenda points. He opened it, dressed casually—too casually. Something felt off.

He led me to the balcony, where an uncomfortable silence hung in the air. I asked why I was called here. His answer was nothing I had expected.

“Ms. Jeremy, can I hold you?”

I froze. “What do you mean, hold me?”

“Come over here,” he beckoned.

At that moment, my body went cold. I saw clearly where this was heading.

I stood up from the railing and shakily said, “Absolutely not.” I turned and left.

That should have been the end of it. But it wasn’t.

Weeks later, back at the office, he called me in. This time, he didn’t ask. He grabbed me and tried to kiss me. Without thinking, I slapped him and pulled away. My body trembled with fear, embarrassment, and anger.

“This is completely inappropriate,” I said before storming out.

I ran to the bathroom, locked myself inside, and cried. I felt violated, exposed, and completely alone. I wanted to walk away from this job. But I stayed. I convinced myself that I belonged there, that I wouldn’t let him push me out of a career I had worked so hard for.

What followed were months of harassment—subtle but insidious. He took jabs at me while passing my desk or in the hallway. He made dismissive and overly critical remarks about my work and created an office atmosphere that became suffocating. My once-vibrant enthusiasm dimmed. I struggled to concentrate, forgot key points in meetings, and made mistakes I never would have made before. And yet, I had to sit in rooms with him and act as if nothing had happened, always on guard, feeling constant anxiety.

Then, I found an unexpected avenue for escape—one that took me into a different, more positive space, and it was empowering being on a global stage where I could reclaim my confidence. For two years that was my focus and when I returned, I accepted an offer to join a different department, and with that, I closed the chapter on my time there—but not on the experience.

For years, I carried this story in silence—afraid, ashamed, and more than anything, disappointed. He was actually someone I admired and looked up to as a mentor. There was so much I had learned from him, and so much more I had hoped to learn—and then this. It took me years to find the courage to tell my parents. And even now, the weight of that experience lingers.

I wish I could say that was the last time something like this happened—that it was an isolated incident. But it wasn’t. It would happen again and again throughout my life in both subtle and obvious ways. Each experience leaving its own scar on my pride and sense of security.

The Larger Issue: The Lasting Damage of Workplace Harassment

At the time, I didn’t think I fully understand what sexual harassment is, and I am certain many people today still don't. It is not always as blatant as an inappropriate touch or a crude remark. It can be subtle, disguised as mentorship, or hidden beneath veiled compliments and inappropriate jokes.

Sexual harassment exists in many forms, from unwanted advances and suggestive comments to power-driven coercion and threats of retaliation. Many of us—both men and women—are naïve to what constitutes harassment. Understanding it requires recognizing the different ways it manifests.

What is Sexual Harassment?

 Sexual harassment is any unwanted, inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. It can be verbal, non-verbal, or physical, and it occurs when someone abuses their position of power to make another person feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when it explicitly or implicitly affects an individual’s employment, unreasonably interferes with work performance, or creates a hostile work environment.

Some common examples include:

• Verbal harassment: Unwelcome comments about appearance, sexual jokes, persistent requests for dates despite being declined, or inappropriate questions about personal relationships.

• Non-verbal harassment: Staring, lewd gestures, or sending suggestive emails, texts, or images.

• Physical harassment: Unwanted touching, brushing against someone intentionally, cornering them, or making any form of physical advance without consent.

• Quid pro quo harassment: When promotions, job security, or work benefits are offered in exchange for sexual favors—or when rejection leads to professional retaliation.

• Hostile work environment: When inappropriate behavior is so frequent or severe that it creates an uncomfortable or threatening atmosphere, making it difficult for the victim to perform their job.

Many people assume that sexual harassment only happens when there is physical contact, but it can be just as damaging when it is psychological or emotional. It can take the form of manipulation, pressure, intimidation, or exclusion from opportunities as punishment for refusing advances.

The Cost of Harassment: A Toxic Workplace Culture

My story is not unique. Women across the world endure similar experiences every day. The workplace should be a space where women feel safe, valued, and free to excel. Yet, sexual harassment remains one of the biggest obstacles to gender equality in professional settings.

Experiencing workplace harassment leaves deep scars. Victims often suffer from anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder. Studies show that women who experience harassment are more likely to develop chronic stress-related illnesses, sleep disturbances, and lower self-esteem. Many, like me, find their professional confidence shaken.

Beyond the personal trauma, workplace harassment affects victims socially and professionally. Many women withdraw from professional networks, miss out on career growth, or even leave industries they love. This results in fewer women in leadership roles, reinforcing male-dominated power structures.

Sexual harassment doesn’t just harm individuals—it poisons entire workplaces and societies. Studies indicate that when harassment is tolerated, morale plummets, productivity declines, and turnover rates increase. Women who experience harassment often disengage from their work, affecting overall team performance.

A Call for Change

The time has come for women to demand what we deserve: workplaces where we are respected, valued, and safe. Harassment is not “flirting.” It is not a “misunderstanding.” It is an abuse of power. It is unacceptable. We belong in boardrooms, at negotiation tables, in high-level discussions—without the burden of navigating unwanted advances.

The world does not move forward when half its population is held back. The voices of women must be heard, free from fear, unchained from silence.

As International Women’s Day reminds us of the progress made, let it also remind us of the battles yet to be won.

The cost of silence is too great.

The cost of speaking out?

A future where no woman has to write a story like mine.