Sexual Harassment Case Study - Essay Example

Sexual Harassment Case Study Sexual harassment is considered as one of the most critical issues in any organization. The one million dollar questionstill remains, how should this issue be handled? This is because the issue often brings trauma during disclosure and at the same time this issue must be mitigated. Being a bright student at the University and a member of an on-campus sorority, Helen was twice a victim of on-campus sexual harassment. She chooses to disclose to the University psychologist, due to personal reasons. However, University policy stipulates the rights to notification of all sexual harassment cases for mitigation. Therefore, the decision that she took is subjected to discussion so as to reveal the appropriate way forward. Ordinarily, Helen does not want to disclose the issue the University council due to personal reasons. This is because she fears that the information may blow like wind and she may be the subject of discussion across the campus. This may bring trauma and she will be a laughing stock since she is a member of the campus sorority. This may also affect her performance in the classroom. Helen decides to report to the counseling service that is staffed by the University psychologists; here she believes that the information will not be disclosed. Legally, the clinical psychologists are bound by the Universities policies due to the fact they signed the article of association with the institution to reveal all the sexual harassment cases. It is therefore wise for them to remain faithful to their employer. However, this should be done within the clients-patient privilege of confidentiality. Professionally, the clinical psychologists are secret agents and that is why Helen resolved to them. In the course of counseling therapy, Helen should disclose all her victimization and any other information that appertains to the sexual harassment. The psychologists having undergone thorough training should be in a position to explain the importance of revealing the information to the University and the importance of stopping the person in advance. However, they should assure Helen that the information will not be mishandled because they are secret agents. They are trained and therefore should perpetuate the policy of client-patient confidentiality. The clinical psychologists are mitigates of problems and therefore should report the incident to the University. This is because Helen was assaulted twice which implies that the character in question is a serious perpetrator of sexual harassment and has some element of continuity to this problem. When the incident is not reported, these perpetrators of sexual harassment will multiply to make the problem a disaster, which may be very difficult to manage. It is wise to solve the problem once than constantly solving the same problem that may recur if not solved. Discipline and appropriate course of action normally removes the social evil. (Jon, 2011). Since it is wise to remain faithful to the work place, they should disclose the information, but give a disclaimer to the University not to publicize the information, but to work secretly so as not to violate client-patent privilege of confidentiality. Normally, revealing the root of the problem is not always whistle blowing. The psychologists should reveal the information so that proper investigation may be done and the solution be provided. This will put off the fire of sexual harassment that had been ignited and save many other students who could have fallen victim. (Jon, 2011). Another way to hande this issue could be to let the whole responsibility of solving the issue lie with the university psychologists. The psychologists can discuss with Helen about approaching the perpetrator of such a gender-based offence. The psychologists, having understood Helen’s plea and reason for not informing the university, can resort to approaching the victim to deal with him. The psychologists, being professionals in their field, can in their position, offer counselling to the perpetrator including a word of caution in the process that he is found to repeat the same incident another time. Being that the perpatrator is also part of the Univesity, it becomes the responsibility of the University psychologists to offer him their professional services on how he can stop this kind of act. Sexual harassment could be a psychological problem and especially when the perpetrator is found to carry it our repeatedly. He therefore requires the help of the psychologists to help him stop the act. At the same time, a sturn warning will be issued to him by the psychologist that in the process that he is reported again, he will be reported to the University council. This kind of approach, however, has its consequences. The psychologists shall have violated their loyalty to their employer by not reporting the incident. However, as professionals, their main purpose is to help the victim and consider the consequences that the victim will have to face when the information is reported to the University. They therefore should keep the client-patient privillege of confidentiality to help in solving the issue. When it is handled this way, many other students will have reasons to confide in the psychologist next time they have problems that require the attention of this group of pressionals. It is not easy to let Helen live traumatized for the rest of her life due to the fact that the psychologists could not help her out without informing the University council. There is much more to saving her future and that of her performance to make her a better person for the rest of the days that she will be left to live, than take an action that might destroy her future, career and confidentiality. Reference Jon, R. (2011). The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry (Paperback) . Read More