Julia Shaw: How memory science can help fight harassment

How memory science can help fight harassment

One of the obstacles facing those who have experienced workplace harassment is the scarcity of reporting mechanisms that adequately combine fact-finding rigor with emotional support. Drawing from a decade studying police interviews and the ways trauma interacts with memory, Dr. Julia Shaw discusses how cognitive science and online tools can help survivors record their experiences while prioritizing their well-being.

Harassment and discrimination affect most people at work, yet 98 percent never report it to their employer. Memories are often the only evidence survivors have, but these can be fragile, shaped by emotion and time. Capturing details immediately and using structured, anonymous tools increases the impact of each report. When reporting systems empower survivors and employers to share information safely, organizations can finally tackle workplace abuse at its roots.