Sexual Harassment on the Internet : A Comparative of Legal Measures in Thailand, England and the Republic of Korea

Abstract

This research aims to examine sexual harassment as a social problem from the perspective of social sciences. Furthermore, it explores the features of the Internet which make sexual harassment on the Internet unique. In addition, it attempts to identify negative effects of sexual harassment on the Internet on the health of the victims. Lastly, the most important part of this research aims to analyse and compare the current legal measures in Thailand, England and the Republic of Korea which can possibly be applicable to sexual harassment on the Internet. This study adopts documentary research as its main research method. The scope of this research is limited to sexual harassment on the Internet occurring between adult men and adult women in a general context, which is outside the context of workplace. As regards the analysis of the relevant laws, this research concentrates particularly on the elements of criminal conduct. Therefore, it excludes an analysis of criminal penalties.

According to the findings of the research, the fundamental cause of sexual harassment occurring between men and women is the inequality and the inequity between genders at the level of social structure. In most cases, the victims are women. Sexual harassment has several negative effects on the victim’s health in various ways, ranging from distress, anxiety, fear, sleeplessness, fatigue, loss of appetite, overeating to alcohol dependence. Importantly, due to unique features of the Internet, sexual harassment on the Internet can happen to anyone whenever and wherever. Moreover, it is extremely difficult to identify exactly who the harasser is. However, legal measures – especially those with criminal penalties – are a significant tool to punish the harassers and prevent sexual harassment to happen again. Thailand, England and the Republic of Korea have certain laws which – to a great extent – can be applied to sexual harassment on the Internet. Nonetheless, as sexual harassment is a social problem which has its roots in social structure, other social measures – such as education and the promotion of gender equality – should play the main roles in solving this problem, with the support from the legal measures.