Fri Sep 17, 6:22 AM ET
By Stephanie Armour, USA TODAY
Men are increasingly claiming they're victims of sexual harassment, an issue that's gaining more attention in light of New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey's resignation amid claims of sexual harassment by a male former aide.
Sexual harassment claims filed by men with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has grown from 9% of all charges in fiscal 1992 to 15% in 2003. Many of those claims involve male-on-male harassment; harassment of men by women is rarer, according to legal experts.
"There are more people complaining about it because there's more attention to it," says Caroline Wheeler, assistant general counsel with the EEOC. "It's often the men who are not gay who pick on someone. They pick on men who seem effeminate or not aggressive enough."
In recent years, major employers have faced lawsuits alleging same-sex harassment by men, with some settlements topping $1 million.