College & Research Libraries Publishes Sexual Harassment at University of California Libraries Study Findings

Check out the March 2021 issue of College & Research Libraries (C&RL) to read "Sexual Harassment at University of California Libraries: Understanding the Experiences of Library Staff Members" by Jill Barr-Walker (San Francisco), Courtney Hoffner (UCLA), Elizabeth McMunn-Tetangco (Merced), Nisha Mody (UCLA).

In the first study measuring sexual harassment experiences of academic library employees at a single institution, the authors conducted a census of 1,610 nonstudent employees at the 10-campus University of California Libraries system. This anonymous online survey measured how sexual harassment was experienced and observed in terms of behaviors, exhibitors, reporting and disclosure, institutional support and betrayal, and recommendations for future actions. Out of 579 respondents, 54% experienced and/or observed sexual harassment at work. Respondents recommended training, workplace culture change, support from leadership, and clear reporting processes in order to address sexual harassment at University of California Libraries.

This study was conducted in collaboration with a 9-campus Advisory Team, CARE directors across the UC system, LAUC, CoUL (Council of University Librarians) and ASAG (Administrative Services Advisory Group).

You can also view more information on the study website. Contact information for CARE resources at your campus can be found here.