As
part of the efforts by the Practitioner's Affairs Committee to educate and
empower its members, the PAC continues with its Sexual Harassment awareness
series, focusing on what one can do when faced with sexual harassment.
If
you have been the victim of sexual harassment, do not stay silent. Take action
and contact the Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee or submit your complaint here.
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Sexual Harassment Awareness Series No. 6: Stopping Sexual
Harassment
If
possible, and if the harassment is not too severe or violent, directly
confronting the harasser may be useful. Also, although having protested is not
necessary for a claim, it would strongly strengthen a claim.
Confronting
harassment, the following steps are recommended:.
- Do the unexpected: Name the
behaviour. Whatever he's/she's just done, say it, and be specific. For
example, "Stop touching me XXX,".
- Hold the harasser accountable for
his/her actions. Don't make excuses for him/her; don't pretend it didn't
really happen. Take charge of the encounter and let people know what
he/she did. Privacy protects harassers, but visibility undermines them.
- Make honest, direct statements.
Speak the truth (no threats, no insults, no obscenities, no appeasing
verbal fluff and padding). Be serious, straightforward, and blunt.
- Demand that the harassment
stop.
- Make it clear that all women/men
have the right to be free from sexual harassment. Objecting to harassment
is a matter of principle.
- Stick to your own agenda. Don't
respond to the harasser's excuses or diversionary tactics.
- His/her behaviour is the issue.
Say what you have to say, and repeat it if he/she persists.
- Reinforce your statements with
strong, self-respecting body language: eye contact, head up, shoulders
back, a strong, serious stance. Don't smile. Timid, submissive body
language will undermine your message.
- Respond at the appropriate level.
Use a combined verbal and physical response to physical harassment.
Documenting
Harassment
Documenting
the harassment is important for use as evidence in a case or complaint.
You
should:
- Photograph or keep copies of any
offensive material at the workplace.
- Keep a journal with detailed
information on instances of sexual harassment. Note the dates,
conversation, frequency of offensive encounters, etc.
- Tell other people, including
personal friends and co-workers if possible.
- Obtain copies of your work
records (including performance evaluations) and keep these copies at home