More than 50% of British women say they have been sexually harassed at work or their place of study.

According to a new survey commissioned by BBC Radio 5 live, more than half of the women asked (53%) said they experienced some form of harassment, ranging from inappropriate jokes to physical assault.

Of the 2,031 men and women over 18 who were surveyed for the ComRes study, 30% of women were more likely to be targeted by a boss or senior manager than 12% of men.

The study also found that one in 10 women said their experiences led to them leaving their job or place of study.

However, both men and women said they experienced harassment - 27% said it was in the form of inappropriate jokes, 15% said they suffered inappropriate touching, and 13% were subject to verbal harassment.

The figures come in the wake of a torrent of allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, who is facing claims of rape and sexual assault dating back to the 1980s.

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Weinstein has vehemently denied the allegations but said he recognised some of his past behaviour "caused a lot of pain".

The survey indicated over two thirds (67%) of all those who had been harassed said they did not report it.

Men were considerably less likely to report experiences of sexual harassment, the survey suggested, with only 21% saying they felt able to tell anyone.

Kiran Daurka, an employment and discrimination solicitor at law firm Leigh Day, said bringing harassment claims can be difficult as they often involve one person's word against another.

She said: "The person bringing the complaint is also required to prove that the conduct was 'unwanted' when in most cases the main defence will be that it was mutual, if they admit it happened at all.

"In addition, the person who has been the victim of harassment must be prepared to bring the legal claim within three months of the offence, when many do not feel able to talk about the situation.

"They may also be employed in the company where the harassment occurred, creating a further impediment to seeking redress."

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