what is intersectional harassment

Intersectional harassment is when someone experiences harassment or discrimination based on multiple aspects of their identity, such as their race, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. It is influenced by perceptions of the victim’s belonging to multiple marginalized groups. For example, African-American women are subject to a greater rate of sexual harassment than Caucasian American women, presumably due to their marginalized racial and gender identity. Intersectional harassment can create a hostile work environment where the worker does not feel safe or productive, and victims can suffer negative consequences such as demotions, job termination, lost wages, emotional pain, psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress. To support and empower people who experience intersectional harassment, companies can provide safe spaces for them to share their experiences, offer counseling or mental health resources, and create mentorship programs. It is also essential to promote diversity in leadership, increase awareness about power dynamics, and hold employees accountable for anti-harassment efforts.