Importance of Support Systems for Sexual Harassment Survivors within Workplaces

Written by: Anuska Roy

Sexual harassment survivors in workplaces can often be met with heavy triggers or insensitivity. This develops a cycle of apathetical interaction with workplaces and sexual harassment survivors. Internal as well as external communication that either ignores conversations around sexual harassment or uses heavily dislocated language alienates survivors within the workplace.

Given these hindrances that come in the way of building conversations around sexual harassment survivors, support systems provide a much-needed space of solidarity within workplaces. Moreover, support systems within workplaces also enable survivors to find a space where they feel comfortable sharing their experience. Workplace mandates must now start focusing on building support systems for survivors to enable them to find their own space of comfort.

Why are Support Systems for Sexual Harassment Survivors Important?

Support systems build networks of solidarity. Consequently, these networks come together to provide support in times of crises. Moreover, support systems also build open spaces where individuals feel comfortable sharing their experiences. This not only starts important conversations but also approach sensitive topics through an appropriate lens.

Support system for sexual harassment survivors provides a comfortable space without triggers. Hence, survivors are able to understand and gauge their environment better. If survivors are placed within the same environment where violence took place they may be faced with triggers. Consequently, these triggers cause mental and emotional distress. Furthermore, survivors may feel hindered to speak about their experiences or may feel constricted within infrastructural imbalances.

Support systems create spaces where survivors feel a sense of relativity with others. They can then find themselves interacting with a wider network of solidarity. This goes a long way in removing hindrances when it comes to survivors speaking up or even sharing their experiences. Moreover, support systems also act as an important mechanism for survivors to approach redressal. With support systems in place, a larger transfer of information takes place. This removes ignorance within corporate structures and also gives agency to women and non-binary employees to feel in charge of their own selves within their place of work.

Sexual Harassment at Workplace and a Lack of Knowledge

Corporate structures often find themselves faced with an apathetic response to instances of sexual harassment. This occurs due to a lack of understanding or a fragmented positioning of their Internal Committees. Sexual harassment survivors within workplaces find themselves alienated and uncomfortable. Moreover, victims faced with sexual harassment may also not have access to information about filing a complaint.

Consequently, women and non-binary employees may not come forward with their account of sexual harassment. A lack of understanding about the complaint filing procedure as well as the legal procedure that follows can be a huge detriment. Support systems act as spaces of information dissemination that can alleviate the stress of not knowing how to go about filing complaints. Moreover, support systems can also create awareness programs to help women and non-binary employees know about their company’s PoSH policies.

Sexual Harassment at Workplaces and Leadership

Sexual violence is not something that is perceived isolated from larger workplace policies. Hence, leadership within corporate structures must adopt essential practices to help sexual harassment survivors within workplaces. These policies must also act in a precautionary manner to help women and non-binary employees feel safe within workplaces. Some essential steps that workplaces can adopt to aid their employees are:

1. Sharing the company’s PoSH policies with employees. This enables employees to know their rights and also builds a transparent system of accountability.

2. Create helpful mental health resources for employees and survivors of sexual harassment. This alleviates emotional and mental distress among sexual survivors.

3. Take complaints seriously and provide immediate support for the victim.

4. Participate in training programs as well as audits that can help employees feel safe within their workplaces. Audits and training programs also create a more inclusive and safer work environment within constantly changing workspaces.

5. Keep in mind the importance of power dynamics between supervisors and employees. Hiring employees and supervisors from a diverse background also creates a network that balances power dynamics within workplace verticals.

Leadership plays a very important role in creating a safe and secure environment for sexual harassment survivors within workplaces. Moreover, support systems can also ensure that the company’s leadership participates in a minimum of two training programs on a yearly basis with regards to PoSH compliance. Hence, support systems for survivors not only act as a network of solidarity but are also capable of building infrastructural changes.

Conclusion

Support system for sexual harassment survivors within workplaces creates a secure network of solidarity. They act as systems that aid and alleviate distress while simultaneously working towards rebuilding infrastructural gaps in policies. They fill the gap of inhibition that victims may face when it comes to filing a complaint. Support systems also act as important mechanisms to help victims traverse the legal procedures. Hence, support systems within workplaces for sexual harassment survivors creates a much-needed network of solidarity that enables women and non-binary survivors to feel comfortable within their space of work.