Sexual Harassment
If you are experiencing any unwanted attention that is sexual such as touching, groping, name calling, or sexual comments, you may be experiencing sexual harassment. Sexual Harassment can take place anywhere. It can happen in your workplace, at school or in the street.
Sexual harassment is any unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature and can be perpetrated by people you know such as a partner, colleague or friend, or by a stranger. Sexual harassment can be threatening, and can make you feel very uncomfortable.
Sexual Harassment can be:
- Verbal…
- Comments about your body, name calling, unwelcome propositions, threats (whether carried out or not) and sexual jokes that you find offensive can all be sexual harassment.
- Written…
- Sexual notes, letters or texts , threatening or sexual e-mails can be sexual harassment.
- Physical…
- Unwanted touching, grabbing, rubbing, sexual gestures or threatening staring can be sexual harassment
If you are experiencing sexual harassment at work, you have a legal right under the Sex Discrimination Act to take action. If you feel you have been sacked or forced to resign from your job as a result of harassment, you may also have a claim for unfair dismissal.
If this is happening to you, there are things you can do to help keep yourself safe. Click here to find out how.
You will find more information about Sexual Harassment at the bottom of this page along with resources to download.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for extra resources and information.
There are people who can help
If you have experienced sexual harassment, support is available.
-
Bristol Rape Crisis
A specialist support service for women and girls in Bristol and the surrounding areas, who have experienced any form of sexual violence, at any point in their lives.
0117 929 8868
-
Victim Support
The national charity giving free and confidential help to victims of crime, witnesses, their family, friends and anyone else affected across England and Wales.
0845 30 30 900
-
ACAS
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service aims to improve organisations and working life through better employment relations.
-
Citizens Advice Bureaux
The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice.
-
Hollaback
When sexual harassment is perpetrated by a stranger in a public place, it is often called ‘Street Harassment’. This can be very threatening and scary and many women report experiencing some form of street harassment. Street Harassment is the focus of an international campaign called Hollaback.
-
Say No To Fear
Help, support and information for people experiencing violence and abuse.
I’m used to getting sexist comments when out and about, and often ignore it. But I realised that this should not have to be tolerated, and so I reported the latest incident to the building site manager and my concerns were taken seriously. I encourage all women not to accept sexual harassment anywhere.
Eleanor, Bristol.
Resource Section
The section will give you further information on Sexual Harassment along with resources to assist you in helping people.
Coming soon…
