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)