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New research shows that around 40% of women - nearly half - who work in news media around the world have experienced sexual harassment. But three-quarters of senior management don't think it is a serious problem, and only 1 in 5 women ever report it.

So why is it so prevalent and more importantly why are victims not finding any support and no action taken against the perpetrators?

Melanie Walker is the Executive Director of Women in News, part of the World Association of News Publishers, which helped conduct the research, and advocates for gender equality in news media says the findings do not come as a surprise.

"There's a 50:50 chance that you're going to get a response if you decide to weigh your risks and the benefits about being open and trying to escalate the behaviour and the issue, and the majority of the time when there is a response it's a verbal warning which doesn't go that far when you're talking about possibly a superior or direct manager who is being accused. Sexual harassment is about power... not dating or attraction, it's about power."

(Pic: Office workers at their desks; Credit: PA)

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