Sexual Harassment Training
Why Sexual Harassment Training?
Sexual harassment is a worldwide phenomenon. Until recently, when the #metoo campaign brought it into daylight, it was considered by many an unfortunate but unavoidable reality of daily life.
Depending on the surveys, between 30 and 50 percent of women in Germany have been sexually harassed in the workplace.
A lot of employers and most employees are not aware, that dealing effectively with sexual harassment and creating a safe working environment is part of the duty of care for German employers. But also in many other countries, sexual harassment at the workplace is illegal.
What happens during Sexual Harassment Training?
Along with creating policies, procedures and structures, sexual harassment training can be one component to help create a safe and harassment-free workplace. It facilitates dialogue on this uncomfortable topic and thereby can establish a common ground. What is it, that we are talking about? Why is it so difficult to talk about it?
Similar to security training this training emphasizes practical exercises and role-play. What options do you have to react when you feel harassed? What could you do as a bystander to support another person which is supposedly harassed? I would like to empower people by practically exploring different options to act. The aim is to create a safe and friendly working culture bottom-up and discourage potential perpetrators.
Possible training content:
Legal basis, facts & figures
Definitions and spectrum of sexualized violence
Reflecting your personal “red line”
Options for affected persons, bystanders, and superiors
Additional challenges in an international work environment
I am aware that this is a sensitive topic and many participants might come with previous experiences. All role play is voluntary, and people have the right to leave a scene when feeling uncomfortable.
Why work with me?
When I started to engage with sexual harassment from a professional perspective I realized, how many experiences I have made as a younger person, that fitted the definition of harassment, yet that I had not labeled as such.
I believe most women, and more and more men, have experienced sexual harassment or worse kinds of sexual assaults. I am very happy, that it has finally become an issue that is taken seriously and that more and more employees demand action.
As with all kinds of abusive behavior, it is ultimately about power. I am glad if I can be part of creating a work environment based on respect for diversity and equal opportunities.
I also offer further consultancy on how to develop and implement a sexual harassment policy and establish the necessary structures and processes.
Together with Krisenwerk I have designed and conducted workshops on dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace for GFA Consulting, Mercator Kolleg and Oxfam Germany.
How do I work?
I have some basic principles, which apply to all the work I am doing.
Start by understanding your customer. I ask the right questions, and most importantly: listen!
No one-size-fits-all. All training is tailor-made and adapted to the needs of my customers.
I am 100% reliable. If I commit myself to a project, I deliver - in time.
Know your limits. If I do not have an answer to your problem, I will let you know. I do not like bullshit and I will not offer anything, I am not convinced of.
Each job is a learning opportunity. The feedback of my customers and participants will be taken seriously and fed into the next project.
This training can also be delivered online, using Zoom or other digital tools.