2 out of 3 women face sexual harassment, abuse at UK workplaces: Study
3 Min Read
The survey comes amid claims that the governing Conservative party is trying to remove the law protecting individuals from workplace harassment.
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People participating in a "MeToo" protest for survivors of sexual assault, in Los Angeles, California on November 12, 2017. (Reuters)
According to a survey conducted by the UK umbrella labor organization the Trades Union Congress (TUC), two out of every three women face sexual harassment, bullying, or verbal abuse in the workplace in the UK.
However, the incidents are not reported by most victims out of fear that they will be discredited or that it might affect work relationships and career prospects, as the organization released its results, which are part of a persuasion campaign for the British government not to withdraw from new laws protecting employees from assault and harassment.
Less than one in every three women informed their employer of the incidents in question.
As a result of the survey polling 1,000 women, three out of every five said to have faced such an incident at work, but that number climbed to two-thirds among those aged between 25 and 34 years.
Read next: The Guardian: Tesco chair faces sexual harassment allegations
Work locations such as offices weren't the only places in which these incidents occurred: phone, text messages, emails, social media, and virtual meetings were also included. They weren't isolated occurrences either, they were frequent.
The TUC claims that the governing Conservative party is trying to remove the law protecting individuals from workplace harassment. "Every woman should be safe from sexual harassment but every day we hear stories about the extent of sexual harassment in our workplaces," said TUC general secretary Paul Nowak.
"We know many women in public-facing jobs -- like retail workers and GP receptionists -- suffer regular abuse from customers and patients," he added. "Sexual harassment and bullying have no place in modern workplaces."
Notorious Police
London police have been notorious for their inappropriate behavior, as hundreds of police officers are likely to be fired for sexual and domestic abuse offenses, Britain's police chief said in January, as he fought to recover public faith after an officer admitted to being a serial rapist.
The Metropolitan Police ("the Met") in London, which has been rocked by scandals in recent years, was thrown into further disarray after David Carrick, 48, admitted to carrying out 24 counts of rape while serving as a police officer.
Carrick had used his position of power to frighten and control his victims, assuring them that no one would trust their statement against that of a serving officer.
Read next: Harassment, assault prompt decision of UK nurses wearing body cameras
#Britain's police watchdog has called for an explanation for the rampant misogyny and "disgraceful" behavior after a newly published report cited widespread bullying, sexual harassment, and discrimination. pic.twitter.com/VzlZT86Ci0
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) February 7, 2022
