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Half of women in Germany victim of sexual harassment

October 28, 2017

One in two women in Germany has experienced some form of sexual harassment, a new YouGov survey showed. The poll comes amid global outrage over sexual assault allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.

https://p.dw.com/p/2menK
Sexual harassment at workplace
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Frank May

Forty-three percent of the women surveyed in Germany said they had been sexually harassed or abused at least once in their lifetime compared to 12 percent of men.

Nearly one in five men in Germany admitted their actions "could have been deemed inappropriate or sexually abusive" by the other person. Just 6 percent of the women surveyed admitted to have done the same.

Just over 2,000 people took part in the survey.

Infografik sexuelle Belästigung in Deutschland ENG

According to the survey, the most common form of harassment is inappropriate touching, with about 28 percent, followed by suggestive remarks, with 24 percent.

The survey found that 14 percent of incidents of harassment take place in public places, compared to 10 percent in the workplace.

Read more: 'There are Harvey Weinsteins everywhere. Even in Germany'

The YouGov survey, which was commissioned by German news agency, comes after a series of sexual harassment and sexual assault allegations against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.

@dwnews - Harvey Weinstein accusers take to social media to share their stories

Over three dozen women, including actors Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie, have accused Weinstein of harassment. Actress and director Asia Argento and Rose McGowan have accused the producer of rape.

The scandal, which reaches back decades, has prompted social media users globally to share their stories of sexual harassment and abuse under various hashtags, with the English one called #MeToo.

The campaign has elicited a response in the form of #IDidThat, where former harassers and abusers are recognizing and admitting to their behavior.

Read more: As #MeToo reaches 'highest political levels,' #IDidThat stokes debate

Sexism: Male Perpetrators, Female Victims?

Ashutosh Pandey
Ashutosh Pandey Business editor with a focus on international trade, financial markets and the energy sector.@ashutoshpande85