Men are more likely to victim - blame women in sexual harassment cases , because they are more likely to empathise with a male perpetrator 's perspective , according to new research from the universities of Exeter , Bath and Queensland . The paper calls on organisations to implement training to ensure decision makers are made aware of potential bias and trained to not be unduly influenced by their empathy for the perpetrator. Men and women are equally empathetic towards female victims in sexual harassment cases , the research found , but men 's empathy with male perpetrators can lead them to place higher degrees of blame on female victims . The researchers connected this with men believing sexual harassment cases can affect their own sense of their gender group 's morality . The researchers called on organisations to protect decision makers against bias .
Men are more likely to victim - blame women in sexual harassment cases , because they are more likely to empathise with a male perpetrator 's perspective , according to new research from the universities of Exeter , Bath and Queensland . Men and women are equally empathetic towards female victims in sexual harassment cases , the research found , but men 's empathy with male perpetrators can lead them to place higher degrees of blame on female victims . The researchers connected this with men believing sexual harassment cases can affect their own sense of their gender group 's morality . The researchers called on organisations to protect decision makers against bias .