As part of National Hate Crime Awareness Week (14 to 21 October), we’re launching our poster campaign against sexual harassment. In the Trust, sexual harassment is key area of focus as it, like other forms of harassment, has a huge impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of our colleagues.
Sexual harassment, intimidation, bullying or discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated in our organisation.
Harassment is a hate incident and people sometimes, without realising it, could be saying things they believe are ‘just banter’ that could actually hurt and offend others or make them feel intimidated or humiliated. It can happen on its own or alongside other forms of discrimination. Just because you think something is banter or a joke doesn’t mean other people will.
Sexual harassment can take many forms and can include unwelcome sexual advances, touching, forms of sexual assault, sharing sexually suggestive social media/videos, wolf-whistling, sexualised jokes or emails. Remember that colleagues across the gender spectrum can experience sexual harassment.
As part of our commitment to addressing sexual harassment, intimidation, bullying or discrimination, and to encourage those who experience it to come forward and for those who see it to report it, we will be sharing our sexual harassment campaign across our social media channels and internally across our organisation.
We’ve also developed a poster which explains the 4 different types of sexual harassment - physical, visual, verbal/written, non-verbal, so please take time to read this.
Remember, if you see it report it and support those who experience it.
If you have seen or been a victim of a hate incident or hate crime, which includes sexual harassment, we encourage you to report through Ulysses (IR1).
You can also report incidents to your local police force by calling 101 or dialling 999 in an emergency.