Sexual harassment in the office can take many forms but the key is to be able to know how to address it and ensure that it does not go on and become an even bigger problem. Given the nature of work environments where team work is thriving, it can hasten colleagues becoming close and thus can lead to some people abusing the relationship and become disrespectful.

The first form of sexual harassment is when a person in authority over you asks for sexual favours so that you can get a promotion, remain on the payroll or to get a pay rise.

The second more common one is done by people on the same job level.  These are the people you share the same office space with.  Their actions might include touching you inappropriately, their conversation is laced with sexual undertones, openly viewing porn websites, spreading sexual rumours about you, openly making sexual offers etc

I am being sexually harassed what do I do?

In most cases especially among women they tend to let things go unchecked and are afraid to file a report with the police or management.  This can be an even bigger problem if your perceived reputation is dodgy that other women cannot back you.

The first thing you do is to plainly and firmly communicate that their talk and actions towards you are not tolerated.  This means being open, candid and explicit of what they have done & how you don’t appreciate what they are doing to you.  Granted some situations are more intense and dramatic than most, so you have to up your game and do the following

Carry yourself with self respect

If you will respect yourself and carry yourself with dignity devoid of sexual innuendo, it makes it even harder for you to be harassed.  In the event you are harassed let your body language reinforce your verbal statements.  Don’t smile or have a laid back posture when telling them off.

Keep documented evidence:

When things start to get a little out of hand its time you started documenting what you are going through.  Keep a journal of what it happening to you.  Be as detailed as possible, write with graphic detail what they said, did, time it happened, who you have confided in etc

Enlist help from colleagues

You need to have people in your corner.  So enlist the support of your friends in the company who can have confidence in you.  Let them know what you are going through and in that way share your pain because when you do decide to make a formal complaint or seek legal redress their testimony will be of great value to you

File a compliant

When you have tried to reason with your harasser and all has failed you need to address the issue with the available grievance channels.  If your company has a sexual harassment policy, then follow the guidelines and file a formal complaint.  If it does not have one you will still need to do the same but only to someone who is in charge of your department, company etc

Seek Legal Counsel

You have filed a complaint and nothing seems to be working?  You need to now seek legal redress.  If you will pursue this matter legally do not resign from your job at least not without seeking advice from your lawyer

To find out how the law protects you from sexual harassment at the office click here

Talk to Someone

If you feel like there is no one who can understand what you are going through, you need to know that there are people who will listen to you and help you through this trying time and the best thing is that this help is free.  These counsellors are ready and all you have to do is to pick up the phone

You can contact the Gender Violence Recovery Centre of the Nairobi Women’s Hospital on

Landline: +254 20 2726821/4/6/7, +254 20 2736845

Mobile: 0722760146

Fax: +254 20 2716651