Bath MP gets PM's support for tackling sexual harassment
Rishi Sunak has thanked Wera Hobouse for her work on the issue
Last updated 11th Jan 2023
Bath's MP has been praised by the Prime Minister for her efforts to combat workplace sexual harassment.
Wera Hobhouse, who's a Liberal Democrat, is attempting to get a Private Members Bill through parliament, which would force employers to ensure their work spaces are safe.
A Private Members Bill allows individual MPs, rather than the government, to propose legislation, which is then voted on by parliament.
Ms Hobhouse's Bill has passed the first four stages and must now pass one more, before being passed to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.
Standing up at Prime Minister's Questions in parliament today, she asked Rishi Sunak for his and the government's support.
"Can I thank the honourable lady for her important work on this issue," he said.
"Sexual harassment has absolutely no place in the workplace and everyone should be able to feel safe at work.
"Now of course we need to make sure that legislation doesn't have unintended consequences, but I know she is meeting with my right honourable friend the Minister for Women and Equalities to discuss her Bill further, and I look forward to hearing her progress on that meeting."
Data revealed in October last year suggested 20 percent of the UK workforce, around 10.6 million people, had experienced at least one form of workplace sexual harassment in the 12 months prior.
The statistics from the Government Equalities Office Survey also showed 14 percent of victims were harassed by a third party, for example a customer and that 79 percent of female victims do not report their experiences.
As it stands the law can only be enforced by individual victims raising cases and there is no preventative duty on employers to ensure their workplaces are safe.
Even in cases where reports are made, Equality and Human Rights Commission has found that in nearly half of those cases, the employer took no action.
The Fawcett Society is a group that campaigns for women's equality.
Their chief executive Jemima Olchawski has called it a "systemic issue".
“So many women have bravely come forward with their stories, exposing the terrible things they’ve been subjected to and the inadequate responses of their employers," she said.
"At least 40 percent of women experience workplace sexual harassment and it’s even higher for Black and minoritised women, disabled women and LGBTQ+ workers.
"This Bill, which we’ve been proud to support, will change that.
"It is a vital step forward in ending the pervasive issue of workplace sexual harassment - ensuring employers are held accountable for creating safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces."