The grey area of sexual harassment
On Nov. 23, the government of
Ontario released an ad on television
to define what can be considered
sexual harassment.
It is the next phase of the government’s campaign to stop sexual violence and harassment. It was released by Premier Kathleen Wynne during the 2015 Summit on Sexual Violence
“Sexual violence and harassment is a reality in every community in our province,” Wynne said in a press release. “This new research demonstrates that we must continue to educate ourselves about what sexual violence and harassment looks like… we play a role in ending sexual violence.”
The ad shows five different scenarios that people can either witness or find themselves in and showcases them as sexual violence.
According to Fanshawe’s sexual violence prevention advisor Leah Marshall, sexual violence and harassment can take place anywhere, from the workplace, to the classroom, to a crowded bus.
“What they are trying to address in the commercial is that the general public doesn’t always have a great understanding of what sexual violence is and that makes it really difficult for people to come forward because people may even question themselves,” Marshall said.
Not only is the government’s initiative for people to know if they have been a victim of sexual harassment, but also to understand if they are witnessing how to step in.
According to the press release, the number of Ontarians who strongly agree that they have an obligation to intervene when witnessing sexual harassment went up from 37 per cent to 58 per cent in just seven months, from March to September of 2015.
“These results suggest that the government of Ontario’s campaign appears to be having a profound impact on attitudes of Ontarians and the belief that they have a role to play when witnessing acts of sexual harassment or violence,” said Sean Simpson, vice president of Ipsos Public Affairs in a press release.
Ipsos conducted the survey on behalf of the government as part of their commitment to change attitudes regarding sexual violence.
But is 2015 truly a benchmark year for helping put an end to sexual harassment and violence in Ontario?
“I think we have a long way to go for this, but yes it is, I think any type of movement either politically or socially or in the school-environment is positive,” Marshall said.
Marshall also highlights the importance of having a safe place for survivors to report, something the government is also working to improve.
“A lot of what we have done with [my] position and all of the sexual violence prevention initiatives is to not only raise awareness about sexual violence… but also to say if you have experienced sexual violence or know someone who has experienced sexual violence, that they know there are resources available,” Marshall said.
Again, the fact that sexual violence prevention is in the public discourse is a step in the right direction and according to Marshall it’s the kind of step we need to see.
“Any step forward, any conversation whether that be politically, in your group of friends, or in your workplace, or just at school or in the classroom… we want to create a safe environment in our society, in Canada, and hopefully one day globally where sexual violence is not accepted. “
It is the next phase of the government’s campaign to stop sexual violence and harassment. It was released by Premier Kathleen Wynne during the 2015 Summit on Sexual Violence
“Sexual violence and harassment is a reality in every community in our province,” Wynne said in a press release. “This new research demonstrates that we must continue to educate ourselves about what sexual violence and harassment looks like… we play a role in ending sexual violence.”
The ad shows five different scenarios that people can either witness or find themselves in and showcases them as sexual violence.
According to Fanshawe’s sexual violence prevention advisor Leah Marshall, sexual violence and harassment can take place anywhere, from the workplace, to the classroom, to a crowded bus.
“What they are trying to address in the commercial is that the general public doesn’t always have a great understanding of what sexual violence is and that makes it really difficult for people to come forward because people may even question themselves,” Marshall said.
Not only is the government’s initiative for people to know if they have been a victim of sexual harassment, but also to understand if they are witnessing how to step in.
According to the press release, the number of Ontarians who strongly agree that they have an obligation to intervene when witnessing sexual harassment went up from 37 per cent to 58 per cent in just seven months, from March to September of 2015.
“These results suggest that the government of Ontario’s campaign appears to be having a profound impact on attitudes of Ontarians and the belief that they have a role to play when witnessing acts of sexual harassment or violence,” said Sean Simpson, vice president of Ipsos Public Affairs in a press release.
Ipsos conducted the survey on behalf of the government as part of their commitment to change attitudes regarding sexual violence.
But is 2015 truly a benchmark year for helping put an end to sexual harassment and violence in Ontario?
“I think we have a long way to go for this, but yes it is, I think any type of movement either politically or socially or in the school-environment is positive,” Marshall said.
Marshall also highlights the importance of having a safe place for survivors to report, something the government is also working to improve.
“A lot of what we have done with [my] position and all of the sexual violence prevention initiatives is to not only raise awareness about sexual violence… but also to say if you have experienced sexual violence or know someone who has experienced sexual violence, that they know there are resources available,” Marshall said.
Again, the fact that sexual violence prevention is in the public discourse is a step in the right direction and according to Marshall it’s the kind of step we need to see.
“Any step forward, any conversation whether that be politically, in your group of friends, or in your workplace, or just at school or in the classroom… we want to create a safe environment in our society, in Canada, and hopefully one day globally where sexual violence is not accepted. “
