Poll on harassment finds unity

Most Americans say misconduct must stop

Americans seem divided these days on just about everything but this: Sexual harassment on the job is a big problem, and it’s time for it to stop.

In a new USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll, three in four of those surveyed — including majorities of men and women, Republicans and Democrats, said the issue was a major one that needed real solutions. Fewer than one in five said too much was being made of a furor that has rattled Hollywood, politics, the news media and more.

Those surveyed said they were ready to use their votes and their pocketbooks to reinforce that point. By wide margins, they said they were less likely to vote for a political candidate, even if they agreed with him on policy, if he faced a credible allegation of sexual misconduct, or to watch a movie or TV show if the star was under fire.

Those findings were underscored Tuesday when Democrat Doug Jones won the special election for a U.S. Senate seat in Alabama, edging out Republican Roy Moore in one of the most conservative states in the nation. Moore had been accused of molesting or pursuing relationships with teenage girls when he was in his 30s. He denied the allegations.

But the survey also showed signs of potential complications and conflicts ahead. Six in 10 said they were inclined to believe the female accusers, not the men accused; just 5 percent were inclined to believe the men.

But a significant group — one in three women and one in four men — said they weren’t sure whom to believe.

Women by double digits predicted that changes in attitudes and policy would last, but men split evenly over whether, when the spotlight fades, anything would really be different.

The poll of 1,000 registered voters, taken Dec. 5-9, has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.

Six in 10 say they would be less likely to see a movie or watch a TV show if the star faced credible allegations of sexual harassment.

Overall, 74 percent said they would be less likely to vote for a candidate if he faced credible allegations of sexual misconduct.