Once again, the Harvey Weinsten's sexual abuse case at Hollywood has opened a Pandora box in the UK. A recent research by Opinium revealed that one in five women have been sexually harassed in the workplace as told by The Telegraph.
As shown by the report, the harassment is not limited to entertainment only, but all sectors. The research also illustrates that 14% of people in the UK have experienced sexual harassment at work. When it comes to women's figures it rises to a 20%. Another earlier report released by the Guardian claimed that the hospitality industry is one where most women are highly sexually harassed than any other field.
54% of the victims of sexual harassment do not report the cases
To comprehend the mystery behind the women's silence -something that certainly should be a thing of the past, after numerous campaigns to deal with stigmatisation and female blame- this reporter went out to young women in the hospitality industry to find their explanations.
The problem lies in the amount of proof
Interestingly, the majority of them pointed out that coming into the open is not a problem. Proving the harassment is -especially in terms of subtle forms of sexual harassment like verbal ones.
Holly Ryan (21), who does part time work as a waiter with one of the top hotels in Central London, said it’s the usual thing: not what you know, but what you can prove. “In most cases women suffer in silence since the authorities will ask for evidence yet verbal assaults are difficult to prove."
“Women feel the cases are not handled seriously and some people in authority seem not to be bothered even,” she added.
Cultural values tend to interfere in some cases too. Yolanda Azenda (24) also echoed the same sentiments about proof, adding that sometimes culture matters get in the way. “At times it is also a matter of the cultural set-up. In some parts of the world, whatever the woman says, no one will believe her. Under such circumstances it becomes difficult for a woman to come out,” she explained.
Pei Hsin Chiang (30), another part time waitress at a topflight hotel in Central London also cited the old culture of blaming women, something that one would think was long gone. “At times the old problem whereby the victim is blamed for the perpetrator’s crime makes women suffer in silence,” she said.
But why hospitality is so notorious for sexual harassment?
38-year-old Ioana Stoica, who has been in the field for more than 15 years agrees with her colleagues: “It is always hard to prove especially verbal assaults which are so psychologically damaging," she said.
She also commented on how the situation is worsened by the nature of the profession. A research on sexual harassment issues in the hospitality industry done in the UK suggests that the hospitality service staff is often encouraged to sell sexuality or flirt as part of the job requirements. The direct contact between the customers and hospitality staff puts them in a vulnerable position with unscrupulous clients.
What is more, the hospitality business in London is usually temporary, with several apps that work to offer these positions just for the day.“The fact that in most cases waitress come in as temporary employees also gives some bosses the courage to sexually harass them since they know that sooner or later they will be gone,” she said. In
Speak up Despite the challenge women face to prove the harassment, communication remains the best solution. Stoica urges women to report their cases.
“Women should be encouraged to speak and do so as soon as it happens as that might make the whole difference,” concluded Stoica.
"The stark reality of sexual harassment in the workplace needs to be addressed to prevent such acts occurring in the future, but to also encourage those affected to come forward and have their voices heard."
James Endersby - Opinium Research