It is now more common knowledge that stress manifests itself physically in our bodies. Thus, persons who are sexually harassed may have aches, pains, headaches, muscle tensions, digestive problems, and actually, a very large array of physical symptoms that stem from additional stress experienced at work. The relationships of those who are sexually harassed suffer as well. People who are sexually harassed suffer from diminished self-esteem and perhaps also depression. These people withdraw and avoid social gatherings, withdraw from their friends and families, and participate less in group activities, including work meetings. The lack of physical and social contact can cause further psychological and emotional damage to a person who is already suffering. (European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Workplace Violence and Harassment: a European Picture, Chapter 5) The organisation where the harassment took place will suffer as well. Another effect on the individual in regards to sexual harassment, as stated earlier, can be depression. In some cases, the depression can be so debilitating, that the harassed individual is unable to leave his/her home and do their job. Absenteeism, lower productivity, and low morale will cause the organisation to lose profit whether in the short-term or long-term. Evidence as well as rumor of widespread sexual harassment at a particular organisation will damage that organisation's professional reputation and perhaps others will quit making for a large turnover rate in the company's work population. Workers may leave...

(European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Chapter 5)
Furthermore, any social deviance is a reflection of society as a whole. What does the prevalence of sexual harassment reflect about the current culture? In the cases of several countries, nearly half of its working population experiences some form of sexual harassment in the entire span of a person's working life. This means that if one enters the workforce, it is nearly guaranteed that at some point, one will be sexually harassed. Where do the behaviours stem from and how can they be combatted both on the individual and societal levels? Mental, emotional, and physical health are at risk when people are sexually harassed in the workplace, as well as other places, too. Besides the monetary costs of employment, healthcare, and loss of human resources, sexual harassment in the workplace costs society its integrity and sense of safety.