Survey finds high rate of workplace sexual harassment in Alberta, new online tool launched
A new survey finds that being sexually harassed at work can be a common and challenging occurrence, prompting one non-profit organization to create a new online resource for Alberta workers.
The Workers Resource Centre (WRC) commissioned a survey which found workplace sexual harassment in Alberta happens more frequently or is witnessed by workers more often than it is reported.
"That really shows us there is a gap in the supports that people feel are out there," said WRC executive director Carolyn Krahn.
The centre commissioned RA2 Research to conduct a survey in May.
Of the 509 Albertans surveyed, 49 per cent said they experienced workplace sexual harassment, while 61 per cent of respondents say they observed an instance of it.
"Despite the prevalence, the report found that sexual harassment is going largely unreported in the province, with just one in ten (11 per cent) indicating they reported an incident to a manager or boss, while even fewer described the incident to Human Resources (seven per cent)," reads a news release sent Tuesday.
The WRC has now launched a new website to provide tools to help, at hereforhelp.ca.
It includes a questionnaire on its main landing page designed to help determine if legal action, including a human rights tribunal, is the right step to take.
"Someone might land on the site, and (say to themselves) 'I don't know if this would be sexual harassment, but I'm feeling like something is not right.' And then through that series of questions realize that this is sexual harassment, and then we are providing an immediate avenue to do something about that," said Krahn.
RESPECT IN THE WORKPLACE
Leaders at sexual assault support charities say that the workplace can be a common setting for sexual abuse, because of built-in power dynamics.
One expert says decreasing harassment begins with employers enforcing respect and anti-harassment policies.
"That's easier said than done," said Danielle Aubry, CEO of Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA). "You actually need to have a work environment that is quite welcoming of talking about these sorts of issues."
While others say it’s important to note that sexual harassment doesn’t affect just one specific group.
"Rates of sexual violence and harassment cross all boundaries of gender race ethnicity ability sexuality," said Corinne Ofstie, director of strategic initiatives with the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (AASAS).
She adds that victims of sexual harassment experience higher rates of poor mental health outcomes including anxiety and depression.
Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence is a free phone and text line for anyone impacted by sexual violence/harassment and it can be accessed at 1-866-403-8000
The margin of error for the survey is +/- four per cent 19 times out of 20.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.