Workplace Sexual Harassment

Is it sexual harassment when a male boss threatens to fire a female subordinate if she does not sleep with him? What about when a man cracks a lewd joke and makes a suggestive gesture in a roomful of women? Can men be sexually harassed? Is sexual harassment common in Singapore?

This site answers this questions and many more on sexual harassment in the Singapore context.

In Singapore, many deny that sexual harassment is a problem, but a 2008 Research Study by AWARE  found otherwise.  A substantial 54% of the respondents indicated that they had experienced workplace sexual harassment.

Whatever the form of sexual harassment, what is beyond doubt is that it upsets the victim and can, in extreme cases, causes emotional harm and even physical and psychological trauma.

Help raise awareness about workplace sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment is a form of abuse.  This bullying behaviour is often about power over the more vulnerable individual regardless of age, race, sex, religion or class.

Sexual harassment can occur anywhere – in the home, the workplace, and public areas. It is an affront to a person’s dignity and should not be tolerated. Workplace sexual harassment is particularly egregious as it often involves an abuse of power and makes it difficult for a person to earn his or her livelihood.