Employers have a responsibility to create and maintain a workplace that is free of any form of harassment. However, it can sometimes be difficult to identify someone as a sexual predator, because many may methodically manipulate their victims to earn their trust before committing sexual abuse. Identifying these common traits of sexual predators through workplace harassment training can help protect employees who might become victims of sexual harassment or sexual assault by a predator in the workplace.
Defining Sexual Predator
A sexual predator is an individual who sexually exploits someone in a predatory, abusive, or dominant manner. This inappropriate sexual harassment or behavior may not be directly related to sex for them, but acts as a way to exert their control over others. The term “sexual predator” most often refers to someone attempting child sexual abuse or grooming, but it can also be used for a predator targeting adults.
Sexual Predators vs. Sexual Offenders
Sexual predators and sexual offenders may seem like interchangeable terms, but legally they are quite different. There may be some nuances across states, but generally, a sex offender is someone who has committed a non-violent sexual crime (including consensual relationships with one participant under the age of majority). More seriously, a sexual predator is someone who repeatedly seeks out sexual exploitation or who has been convicted of a higher degree of sex-related felonies. Sexual predators may be more methodical and malicious, with a cycle of common behaviors or recognizable traits that can make it harder for their victims to put a stop to the abuse.
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Effects of Sexual Assault
According to National Sexual Violence Resource Center, in approximately 80% of sexual assaults, the survivor knew their rapist, and 8% of rapes happened while the victim was at work. In addition, “81% of women and 35% of men report significant short-term or long-term impacts such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.” With the mental health effects and stigma that survivors can carry with them after a sexual assault, it is important to recognize the early signs or traits of a sexual predator. This knowledge, often provided in workplace harassment training, can help prevent the escalation of a potentially dangerous situation for yourself or others in a bystander situation.
1. Crafting Emotional Dependency
The first step a sexual predator will often take is to create emotional dependency with their victim. This can also be known as love-bombing or grooming. Early on, predators may shower the individual with attention, praise, or gifts, which can create misplaced loyalty to the predator. Emotional dependency on an abuser makes their victim incredibly vulnerable. When the victim feels that they have a special bond with their abuser, they will be more trusting of the predator when they begin to mistreat them, act differently, or places them in a dangerous situation.
2. Speaking in Manipulative Language
Manipulation is another common tactic for sexual predators. This stage may also be recognizable as verbal sexual harassment. Predators will slowly start to turn their positive language around to be more negative, mocking the individual about their appearance, choice of friends, and other aspects of their lifestyle. If or when the victim challenges their abuser on this behavior, the predator will make themselves out to be the “injured party.” Predators will make their victims feel that they are at fault for questioning the behavior since they were previously treated so well. This is also known as gaslighting, or the practice of making someone question their own memories or experiences. In most cases, the victim will eventually accept the behavior and end up apologizing to their abuser.
3. Displaying Jealous and Controlling Behavior
Sexual predators will also frequently display jealousy that can turn controlling or dominant. Predators will show extreme possessiveness toward their victims, especially around friends, coworkers, or other romantic interests. These individuals may begin to monitor their victim’s comings and goings, personal behavior, and more — even attempting to limit the victim’s contact with other people.
This controlling behavior can also present as the pushing of physical and sexual boundaries. What starts as seemingly innocent touches can escalate to more physical harassment, repeated unwanted touching, or nonconsensual sexual contact. In a workplace setting in particular, communication or behaviors may come across as inoffensive when viewed individually, but it is the repetition that turns it into harassment. Of course, one-time incidents could also be considered harassment if it is demonstrated to be severe and has a significant impact on the victim.
What To Do Next
If you suspect or witness harassment or predatory behavior that is directed at you or someone else, don’t be afraid to report it. In the workplace, submitting a complaint of “smaller” actions to the HR department can help prevent escalation to more dangerous behavior. As an employer, providing effective Harassment Prevention Training can help employees recognize and stop sexual predators or harassers, and in some cases may be required by law.
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