Sexual harassment has always been accepted as part of life. For years, some men in the position of power, have been abusing, harassing, molesting, and raping women.
Practically every close female friend I have, has told me about an occasion when they have been harassed, molested, or raped by men with authority or influence over them.
Well, yesterday the New York court system sent a strong message. Society will no longer be turning a blind eye to sexual harassment and rape.
Harvey Weinstein was found guilty and sentenced to 23 years in prison for third-degree rape and committing a criminal act.
Men are being put on notice. Sexual aggression can have very serious consequences, personally and professionally.
This sentence also gives courage to millions of women who have kept quiet for years, because they thought no one would believe them, because the perpetrator is too powerful, and because they are afraid of retaliation.
Women around the work are speaking up. Sharing their stories about mistreatment and abuse at the hands of men in a position of authority, at the hands of men with some kind of power over them.
The cultural landscape is shifting and men are being held accountable for their sexual crimes. Whether you are the president of the United States bragging about “Grabbing them by the puxxy” or someone in marginalized America, sooner or later you will be called out and you will have to face your accuser.
Here are four tips on how to reduce sexual harassment at the workplace
1. Make sure your business has a policy against sexual harassment
There has to be a statement that the business is against sexual harassment and there have to be ways to report it without fear of repercussion. Yes, generally, the perpetrator is someone higher up on the corporate ladder, but this symbolic action has a lot of power.
2. Sexual harassment must be easy to report
If a person feels harasses, it’s good to start collecting evidence like emails, texts, voicemails, etc. A complaint letter should be written to the human resource department or the employer/owner of the business.
If the harasser is the owner of the business himself, don’t hesitate to go to the police. Yes, you might put your job in jeopardy, but you might save yourself from a more serious offense (rape), or you might save other potential victims.
3. Get an attorney
Some times, there is not enough evidence to go to the police. In this case, you can get legal representation. Get an attorney to file a legal complaint.
The company, or business owner, might not want a bad reputation and would be willing to settle. In this scenario, the victim will at least get compensation for the hardship they endured.
4. Include more women in leadership
When everyone in leadership roles are men, women might feel less inclined to bring forward a complaint against a male colleague. or supervisor. There has to be a cultural change with more women in leadership.
We have reached the tipping point
This is no longer the boys club where everything was tolerated. There is a new consciousness that is awakening our society. Many countries and corporations are not only passing laws and regulations against sexual harassment, but they are also enforcing them.
One day sexual harassment would be like drunk driving. If you are going to do it, you have to be ready to face the consequences.