Gaslighting is a tactic that people sometimes use to distort the truth and manipulate others. They essentially try to make another person question their own recollection of events or their perception of reality.
This sometimes happens after workplace sexual harassment. The victim may speak out about what happened to them, and the perpetrator will then begin gaslighting them and trying to present a different version of events.
Placing blame
One example is when the person accused of harassment tries to blame the victim. Maybe they claim that the victim invited the unwanted conduct. Perhaps they argue that the victim was involved in a consensual relationship and did not have any problem with the behavior that is now being described as harassment. Either way, the perpetrator is trying to shift the blame away from themselves and onto the victim.
Disputing the account
Gaslighting can also be used to dispute the victim’s account of events. The perpetrator may claim they never did the things they are accused of doing and offer a very different recollection of what occurred. For example, someone who made crude comments about another person’s sexuality may later claim they were “just joking” and that everyone viewed the comments as lighthearted or funny, rather than as an instance of sexual harassment.
Defending your rights
If you have experienced sexual harassment on the job, it can be extremely frustrating to face gaslighting and similar tactics when you try to tell your story. It is important to remember that you do have legal rights, you do not deserve to experience harassment, and you need to understand what steps to take moving forward.