Say 'NO' to Sexual Harassment

On Thursday, 14th November 2024, which coincides with the start of 'Anti-Bullying' Week, Cardiff Community Housing Association launched an important campaign to raise awareness about sexual harassment. It is a crucial initiative because sexual harassment affects people from all walks of life and can profoundly impact individuals and our community.

Our campaign aims to educate everyone about what constitutes sexual harassment, how to recognise it, and the importance of consent. A culture of respect and?zero tolerance?for harassment is essential for building a safer, more inclusive environment.

Sexual Harassment can happen anywhere

When #MeToo movement echoed around the world, it gained momentum as Hollywood actors started to talk about rape and sexual abuse and harassment in the film industry. People worldwide – especially women – began sharing their own experiences, or just the hashtag ‘MeToo’ to indicate: ‘yes, it had happened’.

In housing’s corner of the planet, though, it could easily seem that #MeToo never happened. After seven months of collaborative work, research and consultations with external partners, we have produced a meaningful report on sexual harassment in the housing sector outlining our approach to prevention, reporting, accessing independent help and ensuring everyone feels they can safely raise any concerns.?

UK-wide Statistics

3 in 5 women have experienced sexual harassment, bullying or verbal abuse at work (almost 2 in 3 women aged 25 to 34) (TUC, 2023);

2 in 5 women have experienced at least three incidents of sexual harassment (TUC, 2023);

Despite that around 1 in 6 males will experience an abusive or unwanted sexual experience in their lifetime (NHS England), a recent study from Brighton University (2023) unveiled that 65% of their male participants reported at least one experience of sexual harassment.

74% of LGBTQ+ respondents reported experiencing sexual harassment by the age of 18 (Gallop, 2022)

Most victims don’t report it for fear of not being believed, damaging their working relationships and career prospects (TUC, 2023).

Our Principles

Four principles guide our approach: 'Believe', 'Support', 'Raise Awareness', and 'Act'.

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BELIEVE - Any report of sexual harassment will always be taken seriously.?

SUPPORT- Supporting someone in making a complaint goes beyond following a process. We will never let our opinions influence the situation or dismiss a person’s concern. We won’t ignore or cover up sexual harassment or complaints.

RAISE AWARENESS - We will ensure all colleagues know what to do when they experience sexual harassment.

ACT - All CCHA’s actions will ensure the balance between the victim’s wishes and the ability to prevent future incidents.

Do we currently have a problem?

NO! We are in a comfortable position as we do not have any sexual harassment issues in our organisation. Still, we need to ensure that if the worst happens, our colleagues are supported.

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It is widely considered that many people who experience sexual harassment at work fear the consequences of speaking out, especially if the harasser is in a position of authority. This will never happen on our watch! People should feel encouraged to raise concerns; we will always address any reports in a sensitive, balanced and respectful manner.