We've come a long way
Much has been done to break taboos about sexual harassment in the workplace. These days we all understand how important it is that people feel their employer is doing everything they can to create a safe environment, and that they are equipped to respond appropriately when things go wrong.
We have further to go
This is a long road. Much more can be done to develop effective education and prevention efforts in the workplace. Staff involved in investigations can be better equipped to handle the complexity that these cases often bring with them. And when it comes to support we could thinking more about how people can be supported to stay in the workplace if they do experience sexual harassment.
A large population remain hidden in plain sight
52%
Women experience sexual harassment in the workplace
Everyday, millions of people who grew up in violent homes, were sexually abused in childhood, or have experienced sexual or relationship abuse in adulthood join their colleagues at work.
Despite the fact that these topics are regularly discussed in the media and can have a significant impact on people's lives they are rarely given meaningful attention or resource as part of wellbeing or EDI in the workplace.
This leaves large numbers of people unheard and unsupported with some of life's hardest challenges.
6%
Adults affected by domestic violence in the last year
2%
Adults affected by sexual assault in the last year
20%
Women experience sexual abuse in childhood
When people see this data they often ask...
Does that happen to our people?
Yes
With difficult topics like sexual abuse and domestic violence it's natural to want to push them away but sadly these are issues that affect people across all walks of life.
There may also be a temptation to assume that these kinds of things 'only happen to a certain kind of person' but a common response to childhood adversity is to throw yourself into your studies and work achievements.
This is about your top talent
I think people would be shocked if I
disclosed. There’s a stigma about the kind
of person this happens to. But sometimes
it’s the people you wouldn’t expect. People
who look like they’re doing well. But you
don’t know what they’ve lived with and are
still living with. People need to realise that
it could be anyone
Consent Collective research participant
Doesn't our current provision cover this?
No
These specialist charities face more demand for their services than their funding can cover and have long waiting lists.
If wellbeing resources address sexual abuse, sexual harassment or relationship violence this is normally in the form of static information provided on webpages or PDFs.
Information
Some programmes offer short-term generic counselling support but this provision is not long enough or sufficiently specialist to address sexual or childhood trauma.
Telephone counselling
12-18 months
Waiting time for specialist therapy
Ultimately short-term counselling and GPs all refer in to specialist services who are able to offer long support.
Specialist providers
This leaves your people without the support they need
Our research shows the impact of this gap in provision
"I used the service from work but even though domestic violence was flagged on my form they offered me relationship counselling with my abuser"
Consent Collective research participant
"I probably wouldn't have fallen so far if there had been some kind of awareness training. I couldn't disclose, it didn't feel safe. I shouldn't have to disclose to get the support I need"
Consent Collective research participant
Don't leave your people without support
Let us help you
mind the gap
At The Consent Collective we can support your efforts to prevent, investigate, and offer support in relationship to sexual harassment and the wider issues of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Our range of services include:
-
Strategic training for senior managers to help develop a bespoke response to these issues
-
Sexual harassment prevention education for all of your staff.
-
Advanced manager training so that your managers feel equipped to respond to instances effectively.
-
Wellbeing resources and consultation so that you can ensure you're offering the best support possible to your people.
-
Advanced training for your staff who are asked to investigate cases including how to conduct effective and trauma-informed interviews with complainants and how to understand the psychology of sexual harassers so that you can conduct impactful interviews with those accused of sexual harassment.