Thinking about the impact of sexual violence on workers, most managers understand that it’s a traumatic thing to go through, and might expect a period of time off, or of reduced performance at work.
What most managers are unprepared for is the long term impact on workers. It’s not unusual for someone who has experienced sexual violence to be performing just fine at work, until after the abuse ends. That can be confusing and frustrating for managers, as it’s understandable to imagine that once sexual violence ends, the survivor will start to get better.
As a frontline worker in the Rape Crisis movement I saw that for many survivors, the time after abuse ends can be chaotic. Whether they are leaving an abusive relationship, have been raped by a friend, or experienced sexual harassment at work, what comes after abuse can often be just as stressful and damaging as the abuse itself. And as a survivor of domestic violence and rape, I know that just trying to feel safe can be one of the most all consuming things a survivor has to think about.
Part of the training we provide is around helping managers to understand these long term effects of sexual violence. Appreciating what the impact can be, why it happens, and how to provide workers with appropriate support are all essential skills for managing a worker who has experienced sexual violence in any form.
Sexual violence is endemic. Around 1 in 4 women will experience some form of sexual violence in their adults lives, and the impact can be lifelong. At work, half of women and a fifth of men will experience sexual harassment or sexual violence. The fact is, if you have staff or volunteers, you have survivors on your team. Helping them to overcome the impact of sexual violence and rebuild their lives is good for them, and it’s good for your business too.
Research shows that survivors rarely tell their employer what’s happened, and leave their jobs at much higher rates than other workers. That means losing workers, their skills, knowledge, and experience. Workers who feel supported, are given the resources to deal with the challenges they experience, and who feel safe at work, are more productive and more loyal.
If you’d like to equip your team with the skills they need to support survivors, please contact us. As well as our ‘off the shelf’ sessions we can provide sessions tailored to your needs.
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