By Reem Abouemera

Sexual harassment is often justified by “excuses” that are ultimately myths. Through such myths, harassers have sometimes been let off the hook while the harassed have been blamed, contributing to the normalization of sexual harassment.

Expectedly, the result is a country-wide culture of largely not reacting, not intervening and not reporting, since harassers don’t always face serious consequences and are thereby indirectly encouraged to perpetuate their behavior. By asking the wrong questions, we’re not only harming the victims but society at large, and putting the responsibility and blame where they don’t belong.

Here are a few of the most common myths around sexual harassment and the truths behind them.

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