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Violence

In Public Places ...In our workplace

• Introduction      Videos Videos   •  Print Information   Statistics Statistics

Introduction

• On our streets
• Workplace
• Schools
• Institutions
• Washrooms

An environment of sexual harassment in the workplace can be caused by sexual assault in the form of unwanted touching or rape, pressure to have sex, or a poisoned atmosphere due to sexual or sexist jokes or comments. These behaviours, as with all forms of sexual discrimination, affect women more than men, and are about power and control more than sex.

Many countries have laws against sexual harassment, and many unions, corporations and companies have their own harassment policies. However, because of the power dynamics of the workplace, the economic inequality of women in society, and ineffective reporting and complaints procedures in many workplaces, few take formal action. The effects of sexual (and other types of) harassment in the workplace and the risks involved in reporting are multiplied for women (and men) who experience other forms of oppression based on race, language, ethnicity, class, disability, sexuality or age, or who have a personal history of violence and abuse.

Racism, homophobia and heterosexism, ableism, and ageism are all forms of violence experienced within the workplace, and affect men as well as women.

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VideoVideos

Child sex slavery
Many young children around the world work, some work as slaves. Even very young children are bought and sold for sex. Sex tourists from the developed world feed this industry.

Processed, Linda Lowther
A teacher describes the day she was raped in her classroom. Her co-workers and the school board did not provide her with any support.

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Print Information

The Canadian Initiative on Workplace Violence
“Every employee in Canada has the unalienable right to work without fear or intimidation.”

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* A word of caution about statistics

StatisticsStatistics

Only 4 of every 10 Canadian women who suffer sexual harassment at work take any formal action. Only one out of every two women believes that a complaint would be taken seriously in their workplace.vi

Canadian Centre for Justice Studies (2005). Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile.