Roar Essence

TRIGGER WARNING – The following article contains mentions of real issues that you may be sensitive to or may not want to address at this time

In writing this blog, I have had to revisit my own personal experiences on sexual harassment.

Near misses, it could have been worse, at least you are physically unharmed, are just some of the reassurances I gave myself to keep moving forward. In truth, some of it is buried so deep and rarely spoken about. There are maybe one or two people in this world that know some of the details. I could peel back the layers and try to detangle the reasons why, perhaps in another article at another time.

For now, let us focus on the here and the now.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “violence against women – particularly intimate partner violence and sexual violence – is a major public health problem and a violation of women’s human rights.“

It would also have been nice narrative to tell myself that things have improved since! That however, is simply not true

It is infuriating that we still do not have the right to live free from sexual violence and assault.

The statistics which are in the public domain and our newsfeeds feel far too close to home. It is a reality, that most women will experience or have experienced some level of sexual harassment and/or assault at some stage in their lives.

The real challenge here is to resist the urge to hideaway, we cannot bury our heads in the sand any longer- this is a pandemic and must be confronted head on.

Sexual Harassment encompasses any unwelcome behavior, conduct, or advances of a sexual nature that may cause discomfort, distress, or harm to the person on the receiving end. It can take different forms, including verbal, physical, or visual, and can occur in various settings, such as workplaces, educational institutions, or public spaces.

Sexual Assault is a term used to describe a range of unwanted sexual behaviors, such as non-consensual touching, groping, rape, or other forms of sexual violence. It refers to any act in which a person is forced, coerced, or manipulated into engaging in sexual activity without their consent. .

The recent report on the problem of sexual harassment in the medical field acts as a strong reminder of its widespread presence in our society.

The University of Exeter, the University of Surrey, and the Working Party on Sexual Misconduct in Surgery conducted an investigation, parts of which have been published by the BBC. This study offers valuable insights into the prevalence of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape within the field of surgery.

• Nearly two-thirds of female surgeons who participated in the survey reported being subjected to sexual harassment.
• A third had been sexually assaulted in the last five years
• Women fear reporting would damage their careers.

The report, which is being published in the British Journal of Surgery, is the first attempt to get a sense of the scale.

Registered surgeons – men and women – were invited to take part completely anonymously and 1,434 responded. Half were women:

• 63% of women had been the target of sexual harassment from colleagues
• 30% of women had been sexually assaulted by a colleague
• 11% of women reported forced physical contact related to career opportunities
• At least 11 incidents of rape were reported
• 90% of women, and 81% of men, had witnessed some form of sexual misconduct

Female surgeons sexually assaulted while operating – BBC News

The study highlights an ingrained pattern of behavior in the workplace with similar threads to research on experiences of women in politics and workplaces in general

2020 Sexual Harassment Survey – Government Equalities Office (Gov.UK)

Overall, 29% of those in employment experienced some form of sexual harassment in their workplace or work-related environment in the last 12 months. Unwelcome sexual jokes and unwelcome staring were the most common forms of sexual harassment experienced in the workplace (by 15% and 10% of those in work respectively), 9 of the 15 sexual harassment behaviours were experienced by at least one in twenty (5%) in the workplace in the last 12 months.

2020 Sexual Harassment Survey – Government Equalities Office

In January 2021, UN Women UK conducted a nationwide survey on sexual harassment as a component of the Safe Spaces Now programme.

It found that around 71% of women have faced incidents of sexual harassment in public spaces.

An earlier report in 2018 by the Women and Equality Committee on sexual harassment of women and girls highlighted the prevalence of sexual harassment of women and girls

…sexual harassment in public spaces is overwhelmingly experienced by women and girls.

…..sexual harassment is, in fact, the most common form of violence against women and girls and that young women.

….Girls often first experience sexual harassment below the age of 18.

….for some girls their first experience happens below the age of 10

…..Sexual harassment can intersect with other forms of abuse such as disability-related harassment and racialised sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment of women and girls in public places

The statistics are even more dire when intersectionality factors such as age, ethnicity, sexuality and disability are also considered

The research-based evidence indicates that these are deeply ingrained issues that affect every aspect of society, consequently influencing various workplace cultures and power dynamics.

Most women will experience and/or have experienced sexual harassment or assault at some point in their lives, regardless of where they are. In some cases, it can happen multiple times, and sadly, it can even have fatal consequences.

When dealing with sexual harassment, it’s crucial to focus on the safety and well-being of the victim. Encouraging them to speak up and report incidents is vital as it breaks the silence around sexual harassment and ensures that those responsible are held accountable. By offering support and resources, we can assist victims in navigating the difficult process of addressing and recovering from their experiences.

Whitley Bay Beach at low tide

Confronting sexual harassment also requires a collective effort. Organisations, communities, and individuals must work together to combat this pervasive issue.

Prevention is also key in addressing sexual harassment.

• Promoting awareness and education about consent, boundaries, and respectful behavior can foster a culture that values and respects individuals’ rights and autonomy.

• Workplace policies and training programs should also be implemented to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all employees.

At the recent dinner, I listened to an impassioned speech from a spokesperson for Newcastle Womens Aid (Newcastle) who provide domestic abuse support services.

In her speech, she noted that providing this type of support should not be a charity, it should be statutory.

Yet here we are, that charities such as Newcastle Womens Aid and My Sisters Place are doing the most on limited resources to foster safe spaces and provide support for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

Where is the legislation?

Let’s explore this together.

There is a bill under development in the House of Commons with the goal to help prevent workplace sexual harassment.

The Worker Protection Bill (an amendment to the Equality Act 2010) seeks to put the duty on the employer to prevent harassment instead of relying on the employees to report incidents.

It was celebrated as the beginning of a major cultural shift. The bill is in the final stages of parliament and went through some amendments which watered down some parts to reduce legal liabilities to employers.

I cannot stand here and say that I am completely happy with the amendments, but if I did not accept them the bill would not progress into law and that would be a lot worse…..

My bill…will make a real difference, as it will require employers to take proactive steps to address sexual harassment,

Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse

This bill is widely expected to come into UK law in 2024.