Testing a Model of the Threat of Street Sexual Harassment in Egypt: Implications for Social Work Education

Abstract

This study tested a model of Egyptian women’s well-being and perception of the threat of sexual harassment. The model was drawn from multiple theoretical frameworks, including the vulnerability perspective, objectification theory, and religious perspectives. Nine variables in the model reflect societal, interpersonal, and cultural variables that are believed to relate to women’s views about threats and social risks related to sexual harassment. A total of 1,977 Egyptian women aged 19-45 years voluntarily participated in the study. Path analysis showed that exposure to street sexual harassment was the strongest predictor of both perception of the threat of sexual harassment and a sense of vulnerability to sexual harassment. However, more nuanced results from the model had implications for social work education and research. This study fills an important gap in social work education related to sexual harassment by examining a complex web of interpersonal, environmental, and cultural factors relevant to women’s view of the threat of sexual harassment.