What to Know About Reporting Sexual Assault in the Workplace

According to a survey, about 7% of women and 4% of men have been victims of sexual assault in the workplace. It's clear that there's a serious issue in many workplaces regarding interpersonal boundaries and respect. Sexual harassment and assault are rampant, and these things often go unreported.

Have you ever had to go through the process of reporting sexual assault in the workplace? Are you in that situation now? You may not know what to do or where to turn.

We're here to talk about it. Read on to learn all about workplace sexual assault and sexual harassment, as well as suggestions for sexual assault and sexual harassment prevention.

What Is Workplace Sexual Assault?

So what exactly is workplace sexual assault? What qualifies and what doesn't?

Workplace sexual assault involves unwanted sexual advances, coercion, or non-consensual sexual activity that occurs within the workplace (or any work-related setting, such as a conference, internship, and so on). It is a type of workplace violence.

It's a violation of a person's rights, dignity, and autonomy. It can cause serious emotional and physical harm.

Often (but not always), workplace sexual assault involves a power dynamic, where the perpetrator holds a position of authority over the victim. This makes it difficult for the victim to report or resist the behavior because they worry about retaliation.

Sexual assault is a serious crime both in and out of the workplace. It includes actions such as unwelcome touching, fondling, groping, or sexual advances made without the clear and voluntary consent of the victim. "Voluntary," in this case, is tricky if the previously mentioned power imbalance is in place.

Not all sexual assault is rape. Any type of forced or unwanted intimate touching qualifies as sexual assault in most cases (though if you're unsure, it's helpful to discuss this with a lawyer).

Sexual Harassment Vs. Sexual Assault

Many people are unsure of the difference between sexual harassment and sexual assault. Sometimes the line between the two is unclear. Both of these things are serious issues, so if you find that you've been the victim of sexual harassment rather than sexual assault, don't feel as though you can't report it.

Sexual harassment involves unwelcome and inappropriate sexual advances, comments, or behavior. It can take the form of verbal, non-verbal, or physical actions that create a hostile environment. Sexual harassment may not necessarily involve physical contact or force, but it is still harmful.

Sexual assault is a more severe form of sexual misconduct. It involves non-consensual sexual contact. It includes actions such as rape (or attempted rape), nonconsensual touching, and any sexual activity without the explicit and enthusiastic consent of all parties. Sexual assault is a criminal offense and involves a physical violation of the victim's body.

Again, both of these situations are serious and reportable. Knowing the difference can help you determine how to make that report.

Who Is Impacted by Workplace Sexual Assault?

While the majority of reported victims of workplace sexual assault are women, it can happen to anyone regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, age, race, or any other factors.

It may be more common in male-dominated fields as well as the service industry. However, it can happen to anyone in any field in which there are several employees, employers, or contractors working in one place.

If you feel as though your report wouldn't be legitimate because you're not the right "type" of victim, please report anyway. Your feelings are valid and you deserve justice for what you've gone through.

Workplace Assault and Harassment Prevention

So what can be done to prevent workplace sexual assault and harassment?

At the end of the day, it's up to individuals to not assault and harass others. However, there are things that business owners and HR representatives can do to combat the issue.

First, it's imperative that employers require training regarding sexual harassment and assault in the workplace. Everyone already knows that these behaviors are inappropriate, but having a clear lesson and guidelines in place regarding what is and is not acceptable may dissuade some people from attempting this behavior.

If an employee still sexually harasses or assaults another employee, the employer will have the training to fall back on. There will be no way for the employee to make an excuse that they didn't know that what they were doing was inappropriate.

Sensitivity training can also help.

There should also be safety measures in place if possible, including cameras, well-lit rooms and hallways, and security if the business is large enough.

All employers should take every possible step to make employees feel safe and comfortable.

What to Do: Reporting Sexual Assault in the Workplace

So what do you do if you've been the victim of workplace sexual assault? There are several steps to take.

First, if possible, inform your immediate supervisor or the Human Resources department about the incident. Share details and any evidence you may have. If you do not trust your employer or HR department, this may be tricky, but do your best to document everything.

This may be a traumatic time for you, but documentation will help your case. Keep a record of the incident, including dates, times, locations, and witnesses. Preserve any related emails or texts.

If the situation warrants, consider reporting the assault to law enforcement for a criminal investigation. Again, sexual assault is a criminal offense. If your employer tries to stop you from reporting it, you can talk to a lawyer (and you should document their interference).

If you are the employer, make sure you establish a safe environment for employees to report sexual assault. Remember that you're responsible for the safety of your employees in the workplace. Take allegations seriously.

Workplace Sexual Assault Is Serious

Reporting sexual assault is never easy. Whether you're the employer or the employee in this situation, this is a difficult topic to deal with.

Employers should take steps to ensure the safety and security of their employees. Compliance training can and will help. At Compliance Training Online, we have the courses you need to foster a safe and productive workplace.

Check out our available courses today.