Of the total number of cases (967) that the Sexual Assault Care Centre saw in 2020, 14% involved a perpetrator known to the survivor through the workplace.
Workplace sexual harassment can cause emotional harm, as well as physical and psychological trauma. This harassment is often about power over others, regardless of age, race, sex, religion or class. A person facing sexual harassment at work might find it difficult to regularly return to the same unsafe space—which may affect their ability to earn a livelihood.
If you have experienced workplace sexual harassment, SACC can provide you with emotional support and practical information about next steps. Get in touch with us now.
There are also legal options. Singapore’s laws make stalking and sexual harassment, online or offline, an explicit offence, and gives victims more options for criminal and civil remedies. Go here for more information.
These posters illustrate examples of workplace sexual harassment:
Additional services and resources at AWARE
Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Advisory
If you are facing harassment at work—or even just suspect that you are—consider engaging the services of AWARE’s Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Advisory. WHDA will guide you through all your various options, internal or external—including approaching your company’s HR or the Tripartite Alliance for Fair & Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP), or filing a mediation request with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM). Conversations will be kept strictly private and AWARE will never contact your employer.
WHDA and SACC work hand in hand on cases of workplace sexual harassment. If you would like a WHDA advisor to join your session with SACC, please indicate this when you make an appointment. WHDA and SACC services are conducted in English only. If you are unable to speak English, or if you are referring someone who is unable to speak English, please consider reaching out to the National Anti-Violence Hotline at 1800 777 0000 (24/7 with services in English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil).
Catalyse Consulting
Catalyse is the corporate advisory and training arm of AWARE. Its mission is to build an inclusive world that embraces diversity, so that everyone can be the best version of themselves. It does this by designing and delivering workshops on Managing Workplace Harassment and Bullying, Diversity and Inclusion, Unconscious Bias, Having Difficult Conversations and Inclusive Leadership. It also provides bespoke consultation on harassment and D&I corporate policy. For more information about how Catalyse can work with your company, email catalyse@aware.org.sg.
