AWARE strongly applauds the newly issued Tripartite Advisory on Managing Workplace Harassment (the Advisory) from MOM, NTUC and SNEF, as well as the consultative approach of the Tripartite Workgroup in developing it.

“Workplace harassment is against the law,” said Corinna Lim, Executive Director of AWARE. “This Advisory confirms that employers must play a proactive role in preventing and addressing it.”

AWARE has long highlighted the prevalence and seriousness of workplace sexual harassment in Singapore. In 2015 to date, AWARE’s Sexual Assault Care Centre (SACC) has received 62 complaints about workplace sexual harassment. The figure in 2014 was 61.

“Usually, people facing workplace sexual harassment aren’t looking to punish the harasser,” said Corinna Lim. “They just want to see employers put a stop to it. If they have no confidence in the employer, they may suffer in silence, or just leave. But if an employer has proper policies and processes, it makes a real difference.”

Most major business centres – including Hong Kong, London and New York – make employers responsible for addressing harassment at the workplace.

The Advisory advises employers to develop a harassment prevention policy, to provide staff with information and training on workplace harassment, and to implement appropriate reporting and response procedures.

Catalyse Consulting – AWARE’s corporate training arm – has updated its anti-harassment curriculum to help employers understand and implement these recommendations effectively. This builds on AWARE’s long-standing experience with anti-harassment training, which AWARE began offering in 2010.

“Introducing anti-harassment measures for the first time can seem challenging to employers,” said Rachel Yeoh, Executive at Catalyse Consulting. “But we draw on our experience to make the transition a smooth one. The results are a more inclusive workplace – and more engaged employees.”

About Catalyse Consulting
Catalyse Consulting is the corporate training division of AWARE, which aims to inspire diverse and inclusive workplaces for people to maximise their full potential. Our international team offers Diversity & Inclusion training and consulting for public and private organisations in the region.

About the Sexual Assault Care Centre (SACC)
SACC is Singapore’s first and only specialist service supporting people who face sexual assault. It has seen more than 200 clients in 2015 so far compared to the 234 cases of sexual assault received in 2014.

SACC features a drop-in centre with an on-site social worker who can assist clients immediately (open Mon-Fri, 10am to 7pm), a helpline (6779 0282, Mon-Fri, 10am to midnight), WhatsApp chat (9781 4101, Mon-Fri, 10am to 7pm) and email support (sacc@aware.org.sg).

SACC’s services include free legal information from an experienced lawyer, therapeutic counselling by specialists, and Befriender services – where a trained befriender accompanies clients to the police station, hospital or court, providing support through processes which can often be difficult and intimidating

These safe, free and confidential services have supported hundreds of clients through their recovery after sexual assault.