Sexual harassment can have a lasting impact on both the victim and perpetrator, ranging from depression and loss of career opportunities to health issues and public humiliation.
Many of us have been in situations that have made us feel uncomfortable, but often we ignore our unease, shrug it off and hope that it goes away. Perhaps we aren't really sure if what we're experiencing is actually sexual harassment, or simply men being men.
This is because education on sexual harassment is simply not a priority for many organisations, who feel that it A) doesn't occur, or B) turn a blind eye to it.
Some organisations even go so far as to encourage staff members to comply with the sexual advances of clients in order to clinch sales deals and further business opportunities.
In addition to this many companies fail to have policies and procedures in place to deal with sexual harassment which can make victims feel even more helpless, powerless and isolated.
The law, however, is on your side, and makes it quite clear that when you feel as though you are being harassed, there is recourse you can take.
From the CCMA:
Criminal and civil charges
A victim of sexual assault has the right to press separate criminal and/or civil charges against an alleged perpetrator, and the legal rights of the victim are in no way limited by this code.
Dispute resolution
Should a complaint of alleged sexual harassment not be satisfactorily resolved by the internal procedures set out above, either party may within 30 days of the dispute having arisen, refer the matter to the CCMA for conciliation in accordance with the provisions of section 135 of this Act. Should the dispute remain unresolved, either party may refer the dispute to the Labour Court within 30 days of receipt of the certificate issued by the commissioner in terms of section 135(5).
Below is an infographic showing some of the potential effects of sexual harassment for both victim and perpetrator:
Staff Training presents Sexual Harassment training nationwide. Contact us for more information.