Migrant domestic workers' experiences of sexual harassment : a qualitative study in four EU countries

Papadakaki, Maria (author), Solinc, Miran (author), Kohont, Andrej (author)

Sexual harassment against female migrant domestic workers is a public health problem,which remains hidden and largely underreported. The current paper presents the results of a qualitative research study on sexually victimized migrant domestic workers in four European countries (Austria, Cyprus, Greece, and Sweden). The study aimed at exploring the profile and experiences of victimised individuals. Data were gathered via 66 semi-structured interviews with victimised female migrant domestic workers. Key findings of the current study indicate that the victims: (a) were usually undocumented and had low local language skills; (b) identified domestic work as the only way into the labour market; (c) suffered primarily psychological, economic, and social consequences; (d) had poor social support networks; (e) were poorly connected to governmental support services. This is the first study to explore this hidden problem via direct contact with victims. Addressing barriers of migrants' social integration seems important. Better regulation and monitoring of this low-skilled occupation could minimise risks for vulnerable employees.

• Language: English
• Keywords: domestic worker, migrant, undocumented status, violence, social network, women immigrants, labour migration, women household employees, sexual harassment, Europe
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FDV - Faculty of Social Sciences
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2021
• Number of pages: Str. 272-292
• Numbering: Vol. 2, iss. 3
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-136183
• UDC: 343.541:314.151.3-054.72-055.2
• ISSN on article: 2411-5118
• DOI: 10.3390/sexes2030022
• COBISS.SI-ID: 69019907
• Publication date in RUL: 15.04.2022

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Sexes
• Shortened title: Sexes
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 2411-5118
• COBISS.SI-ID: 68382211

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.
• Licensing start date: 01.09.2021

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: priseljenke, delovne migracije, gospodinjske delavke, spolno nadlegovanje, Evropa

Projects

• Funder: EC - European Commission
• Funding programme: DAPHNE III
• Project number: JUST/2011/DAP/AG/3272