Good sexual harassment dissertation topics examine where harassment of women happens and how law and institutions respond. Current themes include the employer duty to prevent harassment, the sex-based public harassment offence, police workplace culture, university relationship policies and online platform duties. This page lists over 150 topics.
Sexual harassment is a serious issue that affects countless women across the world, often leaving lasting emotional, psychological, and professional scars. Despite growing awareness, many cases still go unreported, and the problem continues to exist in workplaces, schools, public spaces, and even online.
If you are a student looking to explore this topic for your dissertation, you are not just writing a paper, you are contributing to an important conversation. In this blog, we have put together a list of powerful and thought-provoking dissertation ideas on the sexual harassment of women.
These ideas aim to help you research the issue from different angles, legal, psychological, social, or cultural, while giving a voice to those who have been silenced.
Sexual Harassment Of Women Dissertation Topics With Research Aims
Topic 1: How do the laws governing sexual harassment of women differ in the United Kingdom and the United States, and what can each law system learn from the other?
Research Aim: This research will aim to analyse the laws governing sexual harassment of women in the United Kingdom and the United States in order to determine what each legal system may learn from the other. This generally means that it will be useful to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of each judicial system’s approach to the sexual abuse of women. The research will also discuss the drawbacks of sexual harassment laws in the UK and the USA.
Topic 2: How do women deal with sexual harassment in the workplace?
Research Aim: The research will aim to explore the methods through which women prevent sexual harassment in their offices. Making sure that the workplace is free of discrimination and harassment is critical to achieving productive employment.
Non-discrimination and fairness are globally acknowledged as important to any system of human rights protection and are included in most nations’ constitutions and human rights agreements.
The research will also suggest some ideas for dealing with sexual harassment in offices.
The research will also explain the bills passed on sexual harassment of women in the workplace.
Topic 3: How does sexual harassment impact female school students?
Research Aim: The research will aim to investigate the impact of sexual harassment on female school students.
Students experience all kinds of effects as a result of sexual harassment in schools, such as sleep problems, loss of hunger, lowered class participation, avoidance of study groups, consideration of switching schools, change of schools, avoidance of the library, change of subject, and failure to attend a professor’s/teaching assistant’s work hours.
The study will also give recommendations through which schools can avoid sexual harassment and create a friendly environment for everyone.
Topic 4: Sexual Harassment and Women’s Mental Health in the UK: Distress, Help-Seeking and Support
Research Aim: This study will examine how experiences of sexual harassment relate to psychological distress and help-seeking among women in the UK.
It will review published evidence, analyse national survey data on harassment and wellbeing, and interview practitioners from support services about the help women seek and the barriers they face.
Topic 5: Sexual harassment on public transport: the impact on mental wellbeing
Research Aim: Sexual harassment has been identified as a major global issue. It lowers the value of human rights. The research will aim to define the incidence of sexual harassment on public transportation and its effects on female mental health. Females face severe mental health issues when they are sexually harassed, and being harassed on public transport is unacceptable. The research will thoroughly explain the issues faced by women in public transportation.
Topic 6: The Sex-Based Public Harassment Offence in England and Wales: Charging Practice and Women’s Confidence to Report
Research Aim: This study will analyse the offence of intentional harassment, alarm or distress on account of sex, which the Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act added to the Public Order Act.
Using guidance, available charging data and a survey of women’s awareness, it will assess how the offence is used and whether it affects confidence to report.
Topic 7: Sexual Harassment of Women Police Officers by Colleagues: Evidence From Culture Reviews and Misconduct Outcomes
Research Aim: This study will examine how police forces in England and Wales have responded to evidence of sexual harassment of women officers and staff by colleagues.
Using independent culture reviews, inspection reports and published misconduct hearing outcomes, it will assess whether vetting, reporting routes and sanctions have changed and what barriers to reporting remain.
Topic 8: Staff-Student Relationship Policies in English Universities Under the Office for Students Harassment Condition
Research Aim: This study will analyse how English universities have responded to the Office for Students condition on harassment and sexual misconduct, which requires steps to address intimate relationships between staff and students.
Comparing published policies across institutions, it will examine whether universities chose outright bans or other safeguards and how they justify their approach.
Topic 9: Ofcom’s A Safer Life Online for Women and Girls Guidance: Platform Action Against Online Sexual Harassment
Research Aim: This study will analyse how major social media, dating and gaming platforms have responded to Ofcom’s guidance on women and girls’ online safety under the Online Safety Act regime.
Using platform policies, transparency reports and an audit of safety features, it will assess which of the recommended measures against online sexual harassment have been adopted.
Topic 10: Compensation Uplifts for Breach of the Duty to Prevent Sexual Harassment: Employment Tribunal Decisions
Research Aim: This doctrinal study will analyse employment tribunal decisions applying the employer duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment and the power to increase compensation by up to 25 per cent for breach.
It will identify which steps tribunals accept as reasonable and what this means for the stronger standard in the Employment Rights Act.
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Latest Sexual Harassment Research Topics by Theme
These new topics cover the law and employer duties, harassment in particular workplaces, schools and universities, streets, transport and venues, online platforms, reporting and support, and comparative law in India, the Philippines, Australia, the EU and the United States.
UK Law and Employer Duty Topics
- The All Reasonable Steps Standard in the Employment Rights Act: How Far Does It Raise the Bar for Employers?
- Reintroducing Employer Liability for Third-Party Harassment: From the Repealed Three-Strikes Rule to the Employment Rights Act
- Making Sexual Harassment a Qualifying Disclosure: Does the Change to Whistleblowing Law Protect Women Who Report?
- Using the Protection from Harassment Act for Workplace Sexual Harassment: An Alternative to Equality Act Claims?
- Equality and Human Rights Commission Enforcement of the Duty to Prevent Sexual Harassment: Powers and Priorities
- Freelance Women in the Creative Industries: Gaps in Legal Protection Against Sexual Harassment
Workplaces and Professions Topics
- Misogyny and Sexual Harassment in Fire and Rescue Services: Lessons From Independent Culture Reviews
- The Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme in the UK Parliament: Staff Confidence in Reporting
- Sexual Harassment of Women Surgeons: How Surgical Bodies and NHS Employers Have Responded to Survey Evidence
- Lone Working and Sexual Harassment: Risks for Women in Home Care, Cleaning and Delivery Roles
- Insecure Immigration Status and the Reporting of Workplace Sexual Harassment by Migrant Women
- Treating Sexual Harassment as Non-Financial Misconduct in UK Financial Services Regulation
Schools, Colleges and Universities Topics
- Women Teachers Harassed by Pupils: Under-Reporting, Union Support and Headteacher Responses
- Analysing the Office for Students Sexual Misconduct Survey: Which Student Groups Report Most Harassment?
- Gender-Based Violence Charters in Scottish Colleges and Universities: Institutional Change and Student Trust
- Sexual Harassment on Student Placements: Responsibilities of Universities and Host Employers
- International Women Students in UK Universities: Awareness of Rights and Routes for Reporting Sexual Harassment
Streets, Transport and Public Venue Topics
- Fining Street Harassment: France’s Sexist Outrage Offence and Lessons for the UK
- Ask for Angela and Bar Staff Training: Night-Time Economy Schemes Against Sexual Harassment
- Sexual Harassment of Women Football Fans at Matches: Club Reporting Systems and Stewarding
- Text and App Reporting of Sexual Harassment on Trains: Passenger Awareness of British Transport Police Services
- Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Standards and Women Passengers’ Safety From Driver Harassment
- Bystander Responses to Sexual Harassment on Public Transport: A Vignette Study of Commuters
Online Spaces and Technology Topics
- Sexual Harassment on Dating Apps: Women’s Use of Safety Features and Reporting Tools
- Sexual Harassment in Social Virtual Reality: Personal Boundary Features and Women Users’ Experiences
- Online Sexual Harassment of Women Academics After Media Appearances: Effects on Public Engagement
- Online Bystanders: How Social Media Users Respond to Sexual Harassment of Women in Comment Threads
- Unsolicited Sexual Messages to Women on Professional Networking Sites: Prevalence and Platform Responses
Reporting, Investigation and Support Topics
- Sexual Harassment of Women Job Applicants: Legal Protection and Reporting Options Before Employment Begins
- Collective Complaints and Repeat Perpetrators: Do Multiple Reports Change Institutional Responses?
- Support for Women After Sexual Harassment: Gaps Between Workplace, Police and Charity Services
- Workplace Investigations Into Sexual Harassment Complaints: Investigator Training, Independence and Fairness
- Disclosures of Sexual Harassment to GPs and Occupational Health: Professional Responses and Referral Pathways
International and Comparative Law Topics
- Local Committees Under India’s POSH Act: Access to Redress for Women in the Informal Sector
- Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Harassment Claims in the United States: Effects on Litigation
- Workplace Sexual Harassment Under the Philippine Safe Spaces Act: Employer Duties and Enforcement
- Australia’s Positive Duty Under the Sex Discrimination Act: Lessons for Preventing Sexual Harassment in the UK
- The EU Directive on Combating Violence Against Women: Cyber Harassment Offences and National Transposition
List Of Free Sexual Harassment Of Women Dissertation Topics
- The Role of Organisational Culture in Normalising Sexual Harassment at Work
- Qualitative Study on Women’s Experiences of Sexual Harassment in STEM Fields
- Systematic Review of Legal Frameworks Addressing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education
- An Analysis of Social Media Campaigns and Public Awareness of Sexual Harassment
- Quantitative Study on the Link Between Leadership Styles and Reporting of Sexual Harassment
- The Impact of Employer Response on the Psychological Recovery of Harassed Women
- Research Study on Peer Support Networks and Their Influence on Sexual Harassment Disclosure
- The Relationship Between Workplace Gender Ratios and Incidence of Sexual Harassment
- A Comparative Study of Sexual Harassment Policies in Public and Private Sectors
- Quantitative Analysis of Managerial Attitudes Toward Sexual Harassment Complaints
- The Effect of Online Training on Employee Awareness of Sexual Harassment
- The Influence of Gender Stereotypes on Witness Intervention in Sexual Harassment
- Mixed Methods Research on Victim Blaming and Reporting Willingness Among Women
- The Role of HR Practices in Preventing Sexual Harassment in Remote Workplaces
- Longitudinal Study of Sexual Harassment and Career Progression of Women in Law
- Experimental Research on Bystander Behaviour in Instances of Workplace Harassment
- The Impact of Policy Implementation on Reducing Campus Sexual Harassment
- The Relationship Between Corporate Reputation and Sexual Harassment Allegations
- Qualitative Research on Cultural Barriers to Reporting Sexual Harassment
- An Investigation into Sexual Harassment Training Effectiveness in Male-Dominated Industries
- The Role of Leadership Gender in Shaping Workplace Harassment Norms
- Survey-Based Study on Social Stigma and Harassment Reporting in Academic Institutions
- The Effect of Digital Harassment Policies on Female Social Media Influencers
- Cross-Cultural Study on the Perception of Sexual Harassment in Global Corporations
- Analysis of Whistleblower Protections and Their Role in Reporting Workplace Harassment
- The Influence of Patriarchal Norms on Women’s Resistance to Sexual Harassment
- A Review of Judicial Outcomes in Sexual Harassment Cases Involving Women
- The Effect of Repeated Harassment on Women’s Mental Health in Corporate Settings
- The Relationship Between Economic Dependence and Sexual Harassment Tolerance
- Evaluation of Media Portrayals of Sexual Harassment in Entertainment Industries
- Quantitative Research on Sexual Harassment and Job Satisfaction Among Women
- Study on the Impact of Workplace Hierarchies on Harassment Reporting
- Comparative Study of Sexual Harassment Laws Across Commonwealth Countries
- The Role of Gender-Inclusive Policies in Mitigating Harassment Risks for Women
- Case Study Analysis of High-Profile Sexual Harassment Trials
- Mixed Methods Study on Social Media Trolling and Online Sexual Harassment
- The Effect of Harassment on Women’s Participation in Political Campaigns
- Psychological Research on Trauma Symptoms Among Harassed Women Professionals
- Qualitative Research on Intersectionality and Harassment in Minority Women
- The Relationship Between Educational Curriculum and Attitudes Toward Sexual Harassment
- Meta-Analysis of Organisational Interventions to Reduce Workplace Harassment
- The Influence of Peer Culture on Harassment Incidents in Sports Teams
- A Qualitative Research on Stalking and Sexual Harassment in Urban Transport
- Gender-Based Study on the Awareness of Legal Rights Among Harassed Women
- Experimental Analysis of Managerial Gender Bias in Sexual Harassment Cases
- Evaluation of Support Systems for Sexual Harassment Victims in Higher Education
- Cross-National Study on Women’s Legal Recourse to Sexual Harassment
- Analysis of Harassment Incidents in the Hospitality and Service Industries
- Research on Workplace Alcohol Consumption and Harassment Incidents
- The Effect of Virtual Reality Training on Reducing Gender Harassment Bias
- Comparative Analysis of Unionised and Non-Unionised Worker Protections
- The Role of Religion in Perceptions of Sexual Harassment Among Women
- Survey Research on the Impact of Dress Code Policies on Harassment
- The Relationship Between Power Imbalance and Retaliation in Harassment Reporting
- Gender Differences in Harassment Reporting Intentions in Tech Startups
- The Effectiveness of Anonymous Reporting Systems in Combating Workplace Harassment
- A Qualitative Study on the Role of Gossip in Sustaining Sexual Harassment Cultures
- The Influence of Social Class on Harassment Reporting in Service Jobs
- Longitudinal Analysis of Policy Changes Following #MeToo in UK Corporations
- Quantitative Study on Harassment Experiences of Female Gig Workers
- The Role of Masculinity Norms in Male-Perpetrated Harassment at Work
- Impact of Workplace Inclusivity on Harassment of Women with Disabilities
- Study of Language Used in Harassment Policies and Its Clarity to Employees
- The Relationship Between Workplace Stress and Incidence of Sexual Harassment
- An Analysis of HR Handling of Harassment Complaints in Financial Institutions
- Effectiveness of Legal Education in Reducing Sexual Harassment Among University Students
- Study of Reporting Trends Among Women in Temporary Employment
- The Role of Personality Traits in Women’s Responses to Harassment
- Impact of Male Allyship Programmes on Workplace Harassment Reduction
- Evaluation of Campus Safe Zones and Their Effect on Harassment Reports
- The Influence of Harassment on Women’s Work-Life Balance Decisions
- Legal Study of Burden of Proof Challenges in Sexual Harassment Cases
- Analysis of Workplace Harassment in the Context of Intersectional Feminism
- Perceptions of Sexual Harassment Among Women in Armed Forces
- Cultural Study on the Silence Around Harassment in Conservative Societies
- Impact of Industry-Specific Norms on Female Harassment Experiences
- Gendered Analysis of Institutional Response to Workplace Harassment
- Study of Women’s Self-Defence Training and Confidence in Harassment Situations
- The Relationship Between Gender Pay Gap and Sexual Harassment Frequency
- Assessment of Union Advocacy for Harassment Victims in the UK
- Mixed Methods Study on Harassment in Creative Arts Education
- The Impact of Employment Status on Women’s Harassment Experiences
- Digital Ethnography of Online Harassment Narratives Among Female Professionals
- Role of Peer Mentorship in Combating Harassment in Medical Institutions
- Public Perception of False Accusations in Sexual Harassment Cases
- Quantitative Research on Cyber Harassment of Women Journalists
- Analysis of Gender Diversity Policies and Harassment Incidents in Startups
- Influence of Harassment Training on Employee Turnover Among Women
- Case Study of Institutional Complicity in Harassment Scandals
- Study of Social Norms Campaigns in Reducing Street Harassment
- The Impact of Harassment on Academic Performance of Female Students
- An Investigation into the Normalisation of Harassment in Male-Dominated Professions
- Psychological Impact of Institutional Betrayal in Harassment Cases
- Study of Female Athletes’ Exposure to Harassment and Silence Culture
- Role of Restorative Justice in Sexual Harassment Resolutions
- The Relationship Between Female Leadership and Harassment Policy Adoption
- Social Network Analysis of Power Structures in Harassment Cases
- Quantitative Study on Fear of Retaliation in Harassment Reporting
- Legal Study of Confidentiality Clauses in Harassment Settlements
- Mixed Methods Research on Verbal Versus Physical Harassment Experiences
- Study of Cross-Generational Harassment in Multigenerational Workforces
- Survey on Women’s Trust in Internal Harassment Reporting Systems
- Media Content Analysis of Harassment Portrayals in Advertising
- Evaluation of Judicial Bias in Harassment Case Judgements
- Research Study on Remote Work and Digital Harassment Incidence
- Relationship Between Job Insecurity and Harassment Silence Among Women
- The Impact of Harassment on Leadership Aspirations Among Young Women
- Study of Feminist Interventions in Harassment Awareness Campaigns
- Effectiveness of Company-Wide Sexual Ethics Training on Culture Change
- Analysis of Harassment in Co-Working Spaces and Shared Offices
- A Qualitative Study on Harassment Experiences of Women in Film Industry
- Research on Institutional Cover-Ups and Accountability in Harassment Cases
- Psychological Study on Harassed Women’s Return-to-Work Anxiety
- Study of Gender Microaggressions as Precursors to Sexual Harassment
- Analysis of Non-Disclosure Agreements in Harassment Settlements
- Quantitative Research on Emotional Labour and Harassment in Care Work
- Comparative Study on Harassment Prevalence Across Educational Levels
- Study of Harassment in Volunteer and Non-Profit Sectors
- Impact of Harassment on Professional Networking Among Women
- Cultural Analysis of Harassment Definitions Across Societies
- Legal Study on Procedural Delays in Harassment Case Resolutions
- The Influence of Gender Quotas on Workplace Harassment Trends
- Analysis of Self-Blame Tendencies in Harassment Victims
- Psychological Effects of Sexual Harassment on Female Interns
- Quantitative Study on Harassment Recidivism Among Offenders
- Influence of Gender Bias in Arbitration of Harassment Disputes
- Harassment in Informal Employment and Women’s Economic Vulnerability
- Study of the Normalisation of Harassment in Customer-Facing Jobs
- Survey on Women’s Confidence in Legal Institutions Against Harassment
- Study of Harassment Incidents in Women’s Hostels and Accommodations
- Analysis of Female Faculty Experiences of Harassment in Academia
- Relationship Between Harassment and Women’s Career Interruptions
- Media Framing of Harassment Victims in High-Profile Cases
- Study of Victim-Support Hotlines and Their Effectiveness
- Impact of Social Media Policies on Harassment of Female Creators
- Cross-Industry Comparison of Harassment Trends and Protections
- Gender Role Socialisation and Women’s Responses to Harassment
- Influence of National Culture on Workplace Harassment Reporting Norms
- Study of Online Harassment Among Women in Gaming Communities
- Comparative Study of Rural and Urban Harassment Experiences
- Study of Male-Dominated Fraternities and Female Harassment in Universities
- Impact of Political Ideology on Public Reactions to Harassment Allegations
- Research Study on Post-Harassment Isolation Among Women Professionals
- Quantitative Study on Harassment-Related Career Abandonment
- Role of Crisis PR in Reputational Recovery After Harassment Scandals
- Analysis of Institutional Trust After Mishandled Harassment Complaints
- Evaluation of Gender Sensitivity Training on Attitudes Toward Harassment
Related Dissertation Topics
This list focuses on sexual Harassment. You can also explore these related topic lists:
Frequently Asked Questions
Choose a setting first, such as a workplace sector, school or university, public space or online platform, then a perspective: law, organisational policy, psychology or sociology.
Look for changes in law or regulation, such as new employer duties or university rules, because they raise questions about how rules work in practice.
Popular themes include employer duties to prevent harassment, reporting barriers and retaliation, harassment in male-dominated and customer-facing jobs, university and school responses, street and transport harassment, online abuse, bystander intervention, and comparisons between UK, Indian, Philippine and US law.
Intersectional questions about race, disability, age and migration status are also widely studied.
The Equality Act defines sexual harassment and, under section 40A, requires employers to take reasonable steps to prevent it. The Employment Rights Act raises this to all reasonable steps and adds liability for harassment by third parties when those provisions take effect.
Criminal conduct may fall under the Protection from Harassment Act, the Public Order Act or the Sexual Offences Act. Always check which provisions are in force when you write.
It can be, but it needs careful planning and approval from your university’s research ethics committee. Use informed consent, anonymity, trauma-informed questions, a clear right to withdraw and signposting to support services.
Many undergraduates choose safer designs, such as interviews with professionals, anonymous surveys or analysis of published data and tribunal decisions.
Yes. You could analyse published employment tribunal decisions, Office for National Statistics data on harassment in public, the Office for Students sexual misconduct survey, NHS staff survey results, inquiry reports or platform transparency reports.
Secondary designs avoid many ethical risks and suit doctrinal, comparative and policy dissertations.
Yes. Complete the free topic form at the end of this page, or on our free dissertation topics page, and a subject specialist will send you a custom topic with an aim and justification.
If you also need a plan, our dissertation topics and outline service starts from £45.
