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25% of women sexually assaulted at work, Unite survey finds

Over half (56%) had received sexually offensive jokes and unwanted remarks, 43% had been inappropriately touched.

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25% of women sexually assaulted at work, Unite survey finds
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Unite surveyed women across all 19 sectors it represents and found that a quarter (25%) had been sexually assaulted at work, while 8% reported sexual coercion. 

Over half (56%) had received sexually offensive jokes and unwanted remarks, 43% had been inappropriately touched, and 28% had been shown or sent pornographic images by a manager, colleague or third party.

Almost half (48%) of those who had been sexually harassed said it happened more than twice, while over a third (36%) had experienced it more than once. 

Three-quarters (75%) did not report the incidents.

Many said they feared not being believed or thought reporting would put their job at risk. 

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Unite received comments from members who said they were accused of lying or saw the perpetrator remain in the workplace, or even promoted. 

Some victims lost their jobs after reporting incidents.

Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “Staff safety should be among the highest priorities for employers, but the results of our survey are damning and show women workers are being failed by bosses. 

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“Nobody should suffer sexual harassment in the workplace. Unite is committed to taking a zero-tolerance approach and we will put every employer turning a blind eye on notice. 

“We will fight every step of the way to stamp out workplace harassment once and for all. 

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“Every worker deserves a safe working environment and should feel able to report harassment.”

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The survey found high levels of incidents in construction, civil air transport, passenger transport, food, drink and agricultural, road transport, warehousing and logistics. Most cases were not reported.

Only 26% of respondents felt their employer had done enough to promote a zero-tolerance culture on sexual harassment, while 34% did not believe their workplace had such a policy.

Last October, the Worker Protection Act 2023 became law, requiring employers to prevent sexual harassment at work and work events. 

Unite said its research found this was not being fully enforced.

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Unite is calling for a standalone sexual harassment policy, mandatory training for all employees, union equality reps with paid time off, and an extension of the tribunal claim deadline from three to six months. 

Alison Spencer-Scragg, national women’s officer at Unite, said: “The Worker Protection Act has not gone far enough in keeping women safe from sexual harassment at their workplace. 

“Employers are not taking their obligations seriously despite the fact it is the law. 

“This is creating a culture where sexual harassment is going unreported, while those who do take the issues forward are left feeling disbelieved, forced to work with abusers and even losing their roles.”

Spencer-Scragg added: “Unite is calling on the government to take our demands seriously to stamp out sexual harassment at work.”

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