Women in Top Roles Increase Likelihood of Dismissing Abusive Men, IFS Analysis Finds
Companies with a higher proportion of women in senior positions are significantly more likely to dismiss men accused of sexually or physically abusing colleagues, according to a comprehensive analysis of international and UK data by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). The research, which draws on multiple robust studies, reveals stark contrasts in how organisations handle abuse cases based on gender dynamics in leadership.
Gender Disparities in Workplace Responses to Abuse
The IFS cited a recent Finnish study indicating that men are more likely to be sacked for abusing a male colleague rather than a female one. In female-managed organisations—defined as those with an above-average number of women in high-earning roles—there is a marked tendency to dismiss perpetrators. Conversely, male-managed companies are more prone to see the victim of abuse leave the organisation, exacerbating the personal and professional toll on those affected.
This disparity underscores the critical role that gender representation in leadership plays in shaping workplace culture and accountability.
Severe Economic Consequences for Victims
The IFS highlighted studies showing that women who experience sexual or physical assault at work face devastating career setbacks, including job loss, reduced working hours, and lower income. One study found that women who move in with an abusive partner see their earnings drop by an average of 12%, with these losses persisting even after the relationship ends, indicating long-term damage to labour market attachment and career progression.
Specifically, a Finnish study based on police and social data revealed that women who report rape earn, on average, 17% less five years after an assault—a greater impact than the 13% earnings hit associated with a year of imprisonment in the US. However, the study also noted that in areas where more police reports of rape led to court cases, the economic impacts on victims were smaller, suggesting that effective legal responses can mitigate harm.
Broader Implications for Policy and Society
Magdalena Domínguez, a senior research economist at the IFS and co-author of the analysis, described the gathered data as "shocking". She emphasised that economists must take gender-based violence seriously, noting that women pay multiple prices for domestic and sexual abuse, from disengagement with employment to earnings drops after rape. Domínguez added, "The research also tells us that there is room for policymakers to make a difference. Women cannot choose not to be victims, but the response from workplaces, police, and other actors can make a big difference to their recovery."
The IFS also examined UK studies linking female unemployment to an increased risk of domestic abuse, highlighting how financial dependence heightens vulnerability. This connection demonstrates the profound impact that economic conditions and policies can have on gender-based violence.
Effectiveness of Policing and Legal Measures
Research on policing outcomes for domestic abuse victims showed that arrests have a strong deterrent effect on potential offenders. A study from the West Midlands found that arrests for domestic violence halved future 999 calls for the crime in the year following the arrest. Similarly, a Greater Manchester police study indicated that criminal charges against abusers reduced the likelihood of reoffending by almost 40%.
However, the IFS noted that risk assessment and related protection measures did "not appear to reduce the probability of violence happening again", pointing to the need for more comprehensive strategies.
Call to Action from Experts
Katrin Hohl, the government’s independent adviser on rape, stated that the research underscores the "huge" social and economic impact of sexual and gender-based violence on victims and society. She urged policymakers and businesses to address this issue urgently, not only for moral reasons but also from an economic perspective. "This body of work shows us that we urgently need to tackle violence against women and girls, not just because it is the morally right thing to do but because, even from a purely economic perspective, we can’t afford not to," Hohl said.
The findings collectively stress the importance of gender diversity in leadership and robust legal frameworks to combat abuse and support victims, with significant implications for workplace policies and economic planning.
