Workplace Sexual Harassment

Consider this: When a male boss threatens to fire a female subordinate if she does not sleep with him, is it sexual harassment? What about when a man cracks a lewd joke and makes a suggestive gesture in a roomful of people? Does a woman’s provocative dressing justify sexual harassment? Is sexual harassment common in Singapore? What is the best way of dealing with sexual harassment? Should one keep quiet or report?

This site attempts to answer these questions and many more pertaining to sexual harassment within a Singaporean context.

In Singapore, many deny that sexual harassment is a problem. 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, it undoubtedly upsets the victim and can, in extreme cases, cause emotional harm and even physical and psychological trauma.

Help raise awareness about workplace sexual harassment.

If you have been sexually harassed in any way, or if you know someone who has, tell us. Sharing your story will help others understand what constitutes sexual harassment and how it can be dealt with.

Share your story

Why speak up?

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 – at home, at 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.