Federal report: Workplace violence widespread problem, often goes unreported

OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – A new report on consultations from the federal government suggests harassment in the workplace is not only a widespread problem in Canada, but it too often goes unreported or isn’t handled properly.

Sixty per cent of Canadians who took part in an online survey held by the government report harassment in the workplace, with a third saying it was sexual harassment, a fifth dealing with violence and three per cent say sexual violence.

Employment Minister Patty Hajdu says through her life and career, she has been sexually harassed on the job. “As early as unwanted sexual advances as a babysitter — 14 years old.”

And while she had support to get through it, it can leave a lasting impact on victims.

“These kinds of things create trauma. They create mental illness. They create substance use problems. They create family breakdown.”

What was disturbing to Hajdu is 80 per cent of victims say they didn’t report the incidents, with many of them fearing retribution if they did.

“It really shows you that people that are experiencing this in workplaces are intimidated — for a whole bunch of reasons — to actually take action.”

The Liberal are vowing to bring in a strategy to tackle workplace harassment in the near future, and these consultations were a part of that. The government also spoke with employers as part of their consultations.

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