Sexual harassment at work looks like this

The equality watchdog, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, has called for "urgent action" to better protect victims of sexual harassment in the workplace. Here six young women share examples of harassment at work.

Illustrations by Emma Russell.

Testimonies supplied by The Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Young Women's Trust.

News imageWomen holding shoulder
News image"The more serious incident - a client at work exposing himself - left me deeply traumatised. Since then I have been more concerned about wardrobe malfunctions, skirt riding up, neckline slipping down, etc. I don't really wear skirts above the knee anymore."
News imageHands banging against toilet door
News image"I was 17. I had to lock myself in the toilet because of rape jokes turning to threats, older waiters joking over who was going to take my virginity because I was a church-goer"
News imagePhotographer with large hands behind them
News image"I was working at a gig taking photos and a man grabbed me from behind. I now avoid wearing skirts. We should make it clear all harassment leads to dismissal"
News imageFull bar. Women being pushed against a wall
News image"I worked in a bar and one of the customers pinned me up against the wall and tried to put his hands in my underwear – in a packed bar, in full view of everyone."
News imageWomen crying. Room filling with tears.
News image"The worst experience I had left me with no-one to turn to and panic attacks daily for a whole week, crying when I sleep, stressing about the smallest things and triggering my binge eating issues"
News imageMen with hands over their ears
News image"I went to my boss about sexual harassment but the management were all men and thought I was making a mountain out of a molehill. Five women left the business because of the sexual harassment of one man in the space of one year."

Testimonies supplied by The Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Young Women's Trust.

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