UNISON and National Police Chiefs ’ Council to tackle worrying levels of sexual harassment

Police chiefs have pledged to act over high levels of sexual harassment among police staff working for forces in England and Wales, as set out in a report published today (Thursday) by UNISON, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and the University of Surrey. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) says the report highlights some ‘outdated and unacceptable behaviour’ that must be ‘rooted out’. Details include some police staff (4%) being pressurised into having sex with colleagues, or being told that sexual favours could result in preferential treatment (8%). The findings are based on a survey of 1,776 police staff in England, Wales and Scotland. The analysis of the findings is a joint venture between Professor Brown from LSE and UNISON, which represents police staff. UNISON is working with the NPCC to address and eradicate sexual harassment. The survey showed that half (49%) the police staff questioned had heard sexualised jokes being told repeatedly at work. One in five (19%) had received a sexually explicit email or text from a colleague. The survey also reveals that: a third (33%) have faced intrusive questioning about their private lives more than a fifth (21%) have experienced inappropriate staring or leering almost one in five (18%) have been touched in a way that made them feel uncomfortable a similar percentage (18%) have seen colleagues make sexual gestures at work twelve per cent have witnessed/been the subject of unwelcome touch...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Press release ben priestley Christina McAnea harassment London School of economics NAtional police Chiefs' council police staff Source Type: news