Only Eight Per Cent Of Women Report Workplace Sexual Harassment
Of the young women who have been sexually harassed in their workplace only eight per cent report it, according to a new study.
The research by the Young Women’s Trust found that 15 per cent of the young women who have been sexually harassed at work didn’t report it. One in five of those questioned said that they were too scared to report such instances. Meanwhile, 24 per cent said they’d be worried about losing their job if they reported it.
What’s more, 32 per cent said that they didn’t know how to report sexual harassment at their workplace.
Dr Carole Easton, OBE and chief executive of the Young Women’s Trust, commented: “If 2018 is to be a turning point for women’s equality and not just a footnote in history, then it’s clear we need deeds, not just words.”
The survey also found that many employers are failing to address the gender pay gap, while 31 per cent of young women have experienced sex discrimination when working or looking for work.
However, there was some positive news to come out of the survey. 20 per cent of young women now say they are confident asking for a pay rise, compared to 13 per cent last year, and 18 per cent said they felt women’s equality had improved this year, up from nine per cent in 2017.
If you experience sexual harassment in your workplace, you should get advice on how to handle it. Harassment solicitors can help if you don’t feel as though the reporting system at your workplace is effective.
Even if you speak to your HR department, you are still entitled to seek legal advice on how best to proceed. They will be able to tell you about all the options open to you.