WINDHOEK, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- A research study commissioned by the Namibian government and the International Labour Organization(ILO) released on Wednesday has confirmed that sexual violence again women in Namibia is widely spread and needs urgent attention.

The report is titled "Violence against women and men in the workplace in Namibia".

The research also acknowledged that gender-based violence (GBV) in Namibia is so widespread, that at least one third of women in the country have been a victim of domestic violence.

"Since both domestic violence and violence and harassment in the world of work are influenced by similar factors, including socio-cultural norms, it could be deducted that violence and harassment in the world of work is widespread in Namibia as well," the report said.

The report also revealed that most work-settings in Namibia are characterized by unequal power relations, which often forms the basis for many kinds of violence and harassment.

"Some of our key informants also pointed out that there is a direct relationship between domestic violence and violence and harassment at the workplace; if a person gets bullied or treated with little respect at the workplace he or she is likely to take out his or her frustrations at home, and vice versa, being a victim of domestic violence is likely to influence your behaviour towards others at the workplace," the report said in part.

According to the findings of the study Namibian women become victims of domestic violence because it is suspected by their partners that they entertain relationships of a sexual nature at their workplace on a voluntary basis.