Abstract

This article using a phenomenological approach aims to investigate the reasons for low reporting of incidences of inappropriate behaviour such as harassment, bullying and mobbing. Interviews were conducted with 12 participants self-identified as victims. Themes identified in the study were: fear of reprisals, non-existing reporting system, confidential issues, no action to perpetrators and one theme within the sub-themes appeared to be secondary victimisation. The study emphasised the importance of knowing the reason for the toleration of inappropriate behaviour by victims in Malaysia which might provide insightful information for researchers in non-western society.