What can I do if I have experienced sexual harassment myself?

If you have experienced sexual harassment, you should first document the incident by writing down your recollection of events. You should also gather any evidence, such as text messages or statements from witnesses.

Should you decide to make use of the advisory services offered by the HM’s first point of contact for Anti-Discrimination and, where appropriate, to take further action, it is important to provide a detailed description of the situation. Any evidence you may have can support your case, but is not a prerequisite.

Contact

The procedure for dealing with cases of discrimination and sexual harassment can vary greatly, depending on the circumstances. If you have experienced discrimination or sexual harassment, you can contact the first point of contact for Anti-Discrimination. However, you also have the option of first speaking to someone you trust and asking them to support you further, provided they have the time to do so. In any case, it is important to involve the Anti-Discrimination first point of contact. They can offer support. They also compile records of all cases of discrimination and sexual harassment for documentation purposes.

Confidential and impartial advice

The Anti-Discrimination first point of contact listens to people who have experienced discrimination or sexual harassment and discusses the next steps with them. All discussions remain confidential. The first point of contact provides impartial advice to the person concerned and outlines possible courses of action, which may vary from case to case. The decision on how to proceed rests solely with the person concerned.

How a moderated discussion works

As cases can vary considerably, this section merely outlines, by way of example, the procedure to be followed in the event that the person concerned wishes to engage in direct dialogue with the accused. In such cases, the first point of contact takes the lead in organising this facilitated discussion. Neutral facilitators are brought in for this purpose. They make contact with the accused and prepare for the discussion. The first point of contact remains impartial towards the affected person, accompanies and supports them during the discussion and, if desired, can act as their representative.

These mediation discussions may take place on several occasions if the outcome of the discussion is not satisfactory. The decision on this rests with the person concerned. If the person concerned is satisfied with the outcome of the discussion process, the first point of contact will document the case and implement the agreed measures.

In the event of a formal complaint, the first point of contact will assist with the internal investigation and documentation.

Throughout the entire process, the first point of contact maintains contact with the person concerned, keeps them informed about the ongoing proceedings and obtains their consent for all further steps.

Sexual harassment often triggers difficult emotions for those affected – don’t keep these feelings to yourself; seek support.

As well as seeking internal and external counselling services, you should definitely talk to people you trust or friends about what you have been through. Their emotional support and mental encouragement can help you make sense of your own feelings and thoughts. When people experience discrimination, it can have an impact on their physical and mental health. Self-care can be crucial in such cases.

Self-care is personal and can take many different forms. Find out what works best for you and adapt these practices to suit your needs and circumstances. Here are a few examples.

Empowerment through community: Connecting with like-minded people and seeking support within communities that have had similar experiences can be helpful and empowering. This might involve talking to people in your own community, getting involved in support groups, or looking for resources and organisations that offer support.

Setting boundaries: It is important to set boundaries and, where necessary, protect yourself from further discrimination. This might mean, for example, keeping your distance from people or situations that cause you distress, or saying ‘no’ if you feel uncomfortable.

Self-education: Learning about discrimination and your own rights can help you to protect yourself more effectively and deal with discrimination. Find out about relevant laws, regulations, history and culture to broaden your knowledge.