A major survey by trade union Unite has revealed that sexual harassment remains a pervasive and often repeated reality for many women in UK workplaces. Experiences range from offensive comments, crude jokes and unwanted remarks to inappropriate touching and exposure to explicit material. Most choose not to speak up, fearing nothing will change or that they may face backlash, pointing to a deep lack of trust in their employers’ ability or willingness to protect them. Unite warns that too many organisations are failing to meet both their moral and legal obligations towards staff, leaving them vulnerable and unsupported.
Campaigners and experts say prevention starts with clarity and commitment. They urge employers to adopt standalone and dedicated sexual harassment policies, define unacceptable behaviour in plain language, provide real-world examples and ensure consistent training so that all staff understand both their rights and their responsibilities. They warn that without stronger prevention measures and a culture of trust, harassment will continue to be normalised, silenced, and hidden in plain sight.
