Patterns in Agency Reporting of Sexual Harassment Among Asian Americans

• In Event: Multiple Perspectives on Asian Pacific American Politics

Abstract

Is it true that Asian American females underreport sexual harassment and if so, to what extent? In previous analyses, I demonstrated consistency across survey data reflecting lower rates of reporting sexual misconduct victimization among Asian American females. Is this pattern also reflected in agency complaints regarding discrimination. This further investigation of agency data demonstrates nuances on the ground, while weighing the influence of selection on rates for different types of reporting.

A failure to interpret group disparities as underreporting among affected groups will lead to an inability to recognize significant problems and/or a misallocation of needed resources. Furthermore, relying on estimates that underestimate sexual victimization of Asian Americans fortifies the Model Minority Myth, which stereotypes Asian Americans as not facing the same problems as other minority groups.

Author

• Loan K. Le, Institute for Good Government & Inclusion