——Written by Michelle Nalliah, Manager of Governance, People and Culture
January is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This year, the theme is workplace harassment and building empowering, equitable workspaces. Whether you are employed off campus, about to enter the next stage of your career after graduation or working for a client as part of the Master of Digital Media program you are entitled to a violence-free workplace.
What is harassment?
Sexual Harassment means “any behaviour of a sexual nature directed toward another person or persons by a person who knows or ought reasonably to know that the behaviour is unwanted or unwelcome”. It can be in many forms, such as of unwanted comments or touching, or pressure to go out outside of the workplace. Sexual harassment in the workplace is a systemic issue that exposes workplace inequity as different groups experience different frequences of harassment. For example, among employed people, younger workers experience workplace harassment at much higher rates than other age groups: 60% of women and 39% of men between the ages of 25 to 34 report experiencing sexualized violence in the workplace (Stats Canada, 2024).
Harassment is often driven by power dynamics in the workplace. Supervisors and employees, newcomers and established residents, or new employees and seasoned workers all have differing levels of power, which can contribute to harassment. It can be tough to speak up because work is tied so closely with livelihood and our ability to meet our financial needs.
But we are committed to addressing these issues and working toward empowering, equitable workspaces for everyone.
Know your rights
All workers in BC are protected from workplace harassment by the Workers Compensation Act. This means no matter where you work – whether on campus, at a large corporation or for a small independent business – you have the right to a safe workplace. The act requires employers to have a way to report and address harassment. As a Pre-MDM student, the CDM campus is your “workplace.” If you encounter harassment, you can report it to the Sexual Violence Support and Prevention Office (SVPO) at SFU. The SVPO is a free, confidential service that provides resources, support navigating police or hospital services, and guidance through your options. Learn more about them here: SVPO for students. If you’re unsure or want to talk before reaching out to SVPO, both CDM Student Services and I are here to support you.
Intervention and Reporting
As a Human Resources professional, I’m asking for your help to build empowering, equitable workplaces free from harassment. If you experience or see something that makes you feel uncomfortable, speak up. Your voice matters. If we can safely and respectfully address micro-aggressions or overt acts of violence, we can collectively set the standard for what is ok in the workplace. When you sign your employment contract, you do not sign away your right to say no. While we may have different roles or levels of authority at work, we all share the equal right to feel safe and respected. Reporting harassment may seem daunting, but it is an important first step in calling out inappropriate behavior and creating change.
Self and Community Care
It’s important to recognize that many people may feel hesitant or unable to report harassment immediately. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening or having an impact. Having a support network is essential for navigating these experiences. The SVPO or Student Services can share a range of support resources. Taking care of your emotional and mental health is key. Surrounding yourself with people who believe in you and stand by you (both inside and outside the workplace) can help you feel empowered and heard.
Call to action
The focus of this year’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month is to help build empowering and equitable workspaces. By recognizing harassment, understanding your rights, reporting inappropriate behavior, and supporting one another, we can work together to create workplaces that are free from harassment.