Top 10 States for Workplace Sexual Harassment Charges

Recent data from the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) showcases West Virginia, Kansas, and Missouri as the top three states with the highest rates of workplace sexual harassment charges. Mayfair Legal Funding spearheaded the study, examining the records from 2018 to 2021 across all states.

Top 10 States for Workplace Sexual Harassment Charges

Rank	State	Charges in 2018	Charges in 2019	Charges in 2020	Charges in 2021	Total Charges	Rate per 100,000 people
1	West Virginia	218	67	42	40	367	5.12
2	Kansas	177	180	95	85	537	4.57
3	Missouri	423	231	213	229	1,096	4.45
4	Nevada	246	109	92	96	543	4.37
5	Alabama	247	242	178	172	839	4.17
6	Mississippi	127	125	103	108	463	3.91
7	Georgia	484	465	349	342	1,640	3.83
8	Tennessee	293	246	226	208	973	3.52
9	Illinois	763	361	328	277	1,729	3.37
10	Arkansas	105	96	92	101	394	3.27

While West Virginia tops the list with 367 charges and a rate of 5.12 per 100,000 people, it has also witnessed an 82% decrease in charges from 2018 to 2021. Kansas and Missouri follow closely with significant decreases in charges over the years.

Interestingly, Nevada’s data suggests a possible correlation between the rise of work-from-home arrangements and a decline in charges, as numbers dropped significantly in 2020 and 2021.

A representative from Mayfair Legal Funding commented on the findings: “Although the rates have decreased over the years, this does not necessarily indicate a reduction in incidents of sexual harassment. It could mean that victims are hesitant to file charges due to factors like fear.” They emphasized the necessity for businesses to establish robust sexual harassment policies and continuously engage with their workforce to guarantee a secure and conducive working environment for all.

Source: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)