The Wall Street Journal reports that since the start of the recession, a growing number of sexual harassment complaints have stemmed from men. Men filed 16.4% of all sexual harassment claims, or 2,094 claims, in fiscal 2009; this was an increase from 15.4% or 1,869 claims in fiscal 2006. Employment lawyers say that the subject of claims have increasingly been "locker room" type behavior which includes vulgar comments and horseplay with sexual connotations.
The increase in male sexual harassment claims coincides with a recession which has affected men more than women. Claims filed by men rose more in some states with higher than average unemployment rates. In states such as Michigan, which was dramatically affected by the recession, claims filed by men increased to 26.6% in 2009 from 16.6% in 2007. California also saw a dramatic increase over the same period of time.