’North Country’ is a 2005 film that explores the ugly face of sexual harassment. The film tells the tale of Lois Jenson who takes up work in her hometown’s ore mine after separating from her abusive husband.
The work is hard and jobs are scarce in the male dominated industry. Times are tough. Lois quickly learns that her male co-workers do not appreciate a woman competing with them for valuable work. Resentment builds until it breaks into open abuse, eventually leading to sexually inappropriate behaviour.
Lois endured this abhorrent treatment for nearly a decade before speaking out. So began the first class-action sexual harassment lawsuit in US history.
Battling against an uncaring system, Lois strives for recompense for the years of mental anguish and suffering.
Has anything changed in the three decades since Lois’s brave stand?
My home city of Perth has just over a million people, a pretty small place all told, and yet I still witness acts of sexual harassment on an almost daily basis. Prolonged exposure to this kind of constant debasement can lead to long term detrimental effects, it is not harmless fun, it is damaging and illegal abuse.
Sometimes sexual harassment can make the victim anxious or depressed, it can lead to trust issues that spread into every facet of their lives. It damages self-esteem and can even produce physical symptoms of stress such as headaches, backaches, and insomnia.
Workplace sexual harassment is not acceptable and the only way to get that message through to society is to investigate it and to have those responsible held accountable for their actions. Whether you are the victim or not you should always report such inappropriate behaviour immediately, there are professional organisations dedicated to investigating and resolving these issues. A victim may lack the confidence to stand up against sexual harassment, a little assistance from conscientious investigators can go a long way to help.


Information from REPORT AND INVESTIGATE SEXUAL HARASSMENT

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