BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - LIKE skeletons in the closet, it is seldom spoken of; but the reality is that sexual harassment in the workplace is as prevalent as any other form of criminal offence.
According to an online dictionary, sexual harassment in the workplace may be described as unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
• Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment, or
• Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for employment decisions affecting such individual, or
• Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.
Victims of such sexual harassment tend to desist from speaking out or reporting the criminal offences for fear of losing their job or, in some instances, their employ is being threatened.
This media house took to the streets of downtown Basseterre to get citizens' views on this type of sexual nuisance and what advice they would give to the individuals suffering at the hands of their unscrupulous bosses.
Speaking with a supervisor, he elucidated that employers who engage in this illicit practice should first imagine if the victim were one of his relatives.
"The Holy Bible says...‘lead us not into temptation’, and some men use that verse to blame women for the manner in which they dress. But regardless of it being a mini or tight fitting jeans, no boss has the right to touch or by some other action insinuate his sexual desires.
"Some bosses take advantage of their female employees, especially when they are aware of their financial status or academic limitations. This type of behaviour ought not to be condoned. The perpetrators of such behaviour should first ask themselves, 'What if the employee were my daughter, sister or mother on the receiving end of such advances by their employers?'”
A Vincentian told this media house that he is wholeheartedly against any form of sexual harassment and suggested that victims should speak out, despite the possibility of being labelled and/or victimised.
He encouraged women to do the right thing and speak out against their employers' unwanted sexual advances and to also lodge complaints with the police, because it is "not right for a boss to be making moves on his female employees like that".
A small business owner advised that women should speak out when being sexually harassed because "at the end of the day it is that woman who would be suffering", be it mentally, physically or emotionally.
She also advised that the abused women should not think of themselves, but consider standing up for the women who may have been abused before them and those who may be violated after them if they do not do something to stop it.
A young man, clearly against such abuse, suggested that the violated women gather as much evidence as possible and take it to the law enforcers.
He said the women should record or video tape the harassment and then take action.
There were a few individuals who became hostile upon hearing the topic and responded with violent threats of what they would do if they were the victim or someone they love.
One man said, "I don't even know how to respond, because some of these men just nasty and only thinking of themselves. If it were my sister I would want her to come and tell me...I would take it from there."
This media house also spoke to a number of persons who did not see the situation as being one of a serious nature.
There were a few men who suggested that the women take advantage of the situation and try to advance themselves professionally. Some of them even suggested that some women condone the act because they had asked for a raise in salary or wages.
One man suggested that women should inform their superiors that they are infected with a sexually transmitted disease as a means of deterring them from requesting sexual favours.
Another suggested that women should "embarrass their bosses" by chastising them in front of other employees.
Conclusively, most persons appear to be of the view that women who are being sexually harassed in the workplace should speak out and take legal action.
What are your views?
