Sexual abuse can be either subtle or overt (Prevent Violence for Work, n.d.). It consists of all or some of the following:
Repeated abuse
Relationship between the victim and aggressor
Work environment deterioration
Employment in Jeopardy
Attack on security and personal dignity
Physical violence
Eve teasing
Inappropriate advances
Bullying, etc.
Companies can protect their employees from sexual violence by passing workplace rules and regulations that apply to employees from top to bottom. All employees should be informed about the rules and the company should not hesitate to fine or fire an individual on the reporting of a sexual misconduct at the workplace. These rules and regulations should be part of company protocol and ethics committee to ensure employees are protected from any form of sexual misconduct.
Having a zero tolerance policy at the workplace and record of firing employees over misconduct can be highly successful as a preventive measure. Communicating the zero tolerance policy and getting agreements signed by all employees can make it easier to practice zero tolerance at workplace. Employees should be encourages to report cases of sexual misconduct and given a guarantee of action and protection from the individual. By taking these measures, an organization would ensure that their employees feel secured.
Employees who have experienced sexual misconduct at the workplace should be given support in terms of counselling and psychiatrist for those who need emotional support to overcome the ordeal. Having an in-house counselling program to help employees overcome sexual violence and other workplace experiences can be beneficial. Employee support groups should be made where senior employees or same-sex employees give time and attention to others in need and guide them to take corrective actions (NSVRC, 2016).
References
NSVRC. (2016). Sexual Violence and the Workplace: Information for Employers. Retrieved 4 March 2015 from, http://www.nsvrc.org/sexual-violence-and-the-workplace-information-for-employers
Prevent Violence for Work. (n.d.). Sexual Abuse. Retrieved 4 March 2015 from, http://www.prevention-violence.com/en/int-140.asp.
