Majority of women in Wales sexually harassed at work

Data launched this week by Welsh Women’s Aid shows that LGBTQ+ women in Wales are more likely to experience sexual harassment at work, compared to heterosexual women.

Welsh Women’s Aid have spoken to women who have lost their jobs, felt pressured to leave their jobs and those who felt speaking out would go against them when applying for promotions.

CEO Sara Kirkpatrick told The National that sexual harassment at work is having a direct impact on women’s livelihoods and careers, and employers are at risk of losing talent and expertise from their workforce if they don’t get to grips with eradicating sexual harassment from their workplaces.

“Sexual harassment is traumatising for survivors, toxic for workplaces and incredibly bad for business,” she said.

“Without having sufficient policies in place, supported by a culture of genuine commitment to prevent this type of abuse employers may find themselves losing talented staff and generating a damaging reputation that will impact on future recruitment, customer bases and clients alike. For commercial reasons as much as moral reasons, it makes sense for businesses to commit to tackling sexual harassment.”

The survey from Welsh Women’s Aid’s #NoGreyArea campaign found that 97% of LGBTQ+ women in Wales have experienced workplace sexual harassment, compared to 77% of heterosexual women.

The research findings also show that 81% of LGBTQ+ women experienced sexual harassment at work on more than one occasion, compared to 67% of heterosexual women.

Welsh Women’s Aid spoke to Lucy (whose name has been changed to protect her identity), who has experienced years of sexual harassment working in a male-dominated industry.

She said: “As soon as people found out I had a girlfriend, the sexual harassment I received was just horrendous. The obscene sexual things they would say to me were just disgusting. They would say it in the office in front of a room full of people and it was so embarrassing and belittling. I was being boiled down to nothing more than my sexuality. It was awful.

“Every single time I’d ask them to stop, I’d hear ‘it was just a joke’. When you hear that so often, you do start to question yourself and wonder if there’s something wrong with how you’re reacting to these things.

“There was one co-worker that would say things to me about my body and ask questions about my relationships. He would over-sexualise me to the point that I would wear an oversized company work fleece to the office just for an easier life. I shouldn’t have had to do that.

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“There is such a ‘boys’ club’ culture in so many industries and they get away with so much. They feel like they can’t speak up against the behaviour. They know their workmates will make fun of them. It feels like a cycle you can’t break.”

Sara said: “We know that the vast majority of women in Wales have experienced workplace sexual harassment and our research shows LGBTQ+ women experience even greater levels of workplace sexual harassment than their heterosexual colleagues.

“It is vital that in our efforts to tackle sexual harassment, we understand how this abuse intersects with other forms of discrimination in the workplace. This is having a hugely detrimental impact on the job security and career opportunities of LGBTQ+ women in Wales.

“Everyone has the right to work in an environment free from sexual harassment. Employers need to ensure that their workplaces are safe and inclusive spaces and that survivors feel believed and supported if they do disclose sexual harassment.”

To tackle the pervasive nature of workplace sexual harassment in Wales, Welsh Women’s Aid has launched the #NoGreyArea campaign which clearly states workplace sexual harassment is not inevitable and calls out toxic workplace cultures where sexual harassment can flourish.

Chwarae Teg is working across all four UK nations in partnership with Fawcett Society, WRDA and Close the Gap to tackle sexual harassment in the workplace by developing new resources for employers and creating a UK-wide campaign for change. The project will:

Undertake research on how employers, managers and women view current experiences in conversation with this evidence

Recruit employers across the UK and sign-up anti-sexual harassment leaders to promote anti-sexual harassment best practice within their organisations

Create employer-focussed resources to promote a proactive, responsive culture, supported by a public and employer-facing campaign.

On July 5, Chwarae Teg will be launching a campaign to recruit employers from across the sectors in Wales to take part in a pilot training project that will create anti-sexual harassment leaders in the workplace.

The free training will help employers understand what sexual harassment is, provide confidence and skills to tackle sexual harassment at work, develop standalone anti-sexual harassment policies and create harassment-free cultures within their organisations.

Emma Tamplin, collaboration manager at Chwarae Teg, said: “Sexual harassment in the workplace is totally unacceptable but sadly not uncommon. Its impact can be devastating for women – emotionally, physically and professionally.

“It simply has to stop, which is why, at Chwarae Teg, we are working with our equivalent organisations across the other UK nations to tackle sexual harassment in the workplace across the country. We want to look at what works, develop new resources for employers and create a UK-wide campaign for change.”

“To do this we are now looking for employers from all sectors to join our pilot training project that will create ‘Anti-Sexual Harassment Leaders’ in the workplace. The free training they receive will enable them to recognise sexual harassment, tackle it, and create a harassment free culture within their organisation.”

Employers interested in joining the free pilot should email emma.tamplin@chwaraeteg.com or call 07905 552490. Anyone who is experiencing sexual harassment, domestic abuse, sexual violence and other forms of violence or is concerned about someone else can contact the 24-hour Live Fear Free Helpline - 0808 80 10 800, webchat: www.livefearfree.wales, text: 07860 077333 or email: info@livefearfreehelpline.wales) for confidential help and support.