● <B> Is your research on sexual harassment at the workplace finished? </B>

It is not finished yet. I have been in Mauritius for six months and I have made a lot of progress: I have talked with many people and I am more aware of the situation in Mauritius now. I have another six months to go here but I should finish my study before that.

● <B> So, what is the situation in Mauritius? Is sexual harassment commonplace? </B>

I would say that all the women I have talked to have already had an experience of sexual harassment at least once in their lives. My research is not about data collecting but I am rather studying the kinds of behaviour that take place here, the programmes available and the activities organised to raise awareness on sexual harassment. But my experience shows that every woman has already been faced with misplaced behaviour either in the street, with a neighbour or at the workplace. However, I must say this is not specific to Mauritius; such behaviour takes place all over the world.

● <B> What is specific about Mauritius then? </B>

A lot of types of sexual harassment are similar to those seen in other countries ? and particularly in the United States (US) where I come from. But what struck me here is the use of mobile phones and SMS. It seems to have become a new way of harassing people here. I do not know if this is because people use their phones much more here but there is no doubt that this type of harassment is really commonplace here.

● <B> As the workplace is an area where people meet others, there may sometimes be ?genuine attraction? or even relationships between two persons ? how does one make the difference between this and sexual harassment? </B>

Sexual harassment can be described as any unwelcome and unwanted sexual behaviour. It is actually not about sexual relationships but it?s about the difference of powers and the one at the top abusing this power. However, it is true to say that it can be subjective and the interpretation depends on one?s culture. For instance, the way you kiss each other to say hello in Mauritius could easily be considered as harassment in the US. In fact, sexual harassment depends on the way the victim interprets behaviours. Even a mutual relationship which is finished can become harassment. It can indeed be confusing but it should not give perpetrators the opportunity to say that they did not know that they should not behave in such a way. They can?t use it as an excuse.

● <B> Is there enough done in this country to fight this problem? </B>

Again, I haven?t finished my research so it would be hard for me to say. There are institutions where women can go like the Sex Discrimination Division of the National Human Rights Commission, the Police or the Ministry of Women for instance.

● <B> But do women dare to talk about such incidents? </B>

There are many women who still do not talk about it to others. There is something inhibiting them. They might think they will be blamed or they will lose their jobs. These challenges exist everywhere; they are called secondary victimisation. What makes it even more challenging is that this has become a trivialised, normalised and accepted behaviour in society so people are upset but they just do not know if they can speak of it. And in Mauritius, I have the feeling that such discussions may be even more taboo than in other countries.

● <B> Does sexual harassment only apply to women? </B>

No, but most countries are male-dominated economies and males are usually the ones to have more power. As a result, they have more chances of abusing it.

?It is true to say that sexual harassment can be subjective and the interpretation depends on one?s culture. For instance, the way you kiss each other to say hello in Mauritius could easily be considered as harassment in the United States.?

● <B> What types of behaviour can be considered as harassing? </B>

It could be anything verbal ? phone calls, repeated requests for dates ? or physical. Misplaced physical behaviour can go from staring to raping though kissing and hugging. It could also be something like hanging up pornographic material in the office. As said earlier, it can actually be any behaviour that makes the victim uncomfortable.

● <B> What consequences can such behaviour have on victims and on society in general? </B>

The impact on the victim will depend on the type of harassment ? it can vary from nausea, stress, suicide attempts to sexually transmitted diseases. But such behaviour in the workplace also has a negative impact on the company itself because there may be absenteeism, lack of productivity, less satisfaction in the job or the person could simply quit. It can also involve spending money for treatment. This should be a good reason for the company to take action to prevent such behaviour.

● <B> What will you do after completing your report? </B>

I intend to stay in Mauritius as long as there is a need to do something with the results of the study. There would be no point in spending so much time doing research if it does not benefit the country afterwards. The first step will be of course to raise awareness about this phenomenon in view of the results obtained and see what can be done to reduce it. Some organisations have already showed some interest in my project and I hope to be able to work in collaboration with them to make an impact on Mauritian society.