What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is unwanted behavior of a sexual nature that makes someone feel uncomfortable, threatened, or humiliated. This can occur in different forms:
- Verbal: sexually suggestive remarks, inappropriate jokes, or intimate questions, both in person and via email or messages.
- Non-verbal: staring at certain body parts, sexually suggestive gestures, or displaying pornographic material.
- Physical: unwanted physical contact such as touching, holding, kissing, groping, or assault.
Sexual harassment does not always have to be physical. It can also take place online, for example through inappropriate messages or online stalking.
Why is the role of the confidential advisor so important?
Many victims find it difficult to talk about sexual harassment, especially when there are power imbalances within the organization. Three out of four reports of unwanted behavior involve a manager, which further raises the threshold for discussing it.
As a confidential advisor, you are not only the person providing a safe, neutral, and supportive space where employees can share their experiences without fear of repercussions, but also someone who actively contributes to prevention and culture change. This means that you address the topic structurally by, for example, providing training, coaching managers, and advising HR on structural measures.
The impact of sexual harassment
Sexual harassment can have major consequences for victims, both emotionally and physically. Common complaints include:
- Stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms
- Shame, guilt, and confusion
- Physical complaints such as headaches, sleep problems, and stomach issues
- Loss of concentration and reduced trust in colleagues
- Social isolation and problems in personal relationships
These consequences underscore the importance of timely support and preventive measures within the organization.
The role of the proactive confidential advisor: support and prevention
As a confidential advisor, you play a crucial role in signaling, discussing, and preventing sexual harassment in the workplace. Employees must feel safe to share their experiences, but a proactive confidential advisor goes beyond merely providing support. By actively contributing to prevention and awareness, you help create a safe and integrity-driven work environment.
Listening and supporting without judgment
When an employee comes to you, it is essential to provide an open and safe space where their feelings are taken seriously. Listening without judgment and providing acknowledgment are crucial aspects. In addition, you inform the employee about possible next steps, such as internal and external reporting procedures, and advise them on recognizing power imbalances and how to handle them. If desired, you can guide them in making a report or refer them to specialized professionals.
Ensuring confidentiality and safety
Employees’ trust is the foundation of your role. Therefore, it is essential that everything they discuss with you remains confidential. By explicitly stating this and providing a safe environment, you ensure that employees feel genuinely able to speak up.
Promoting prevention and awareness
A proactive confidential advisor does not wait for problems to occur but actively works toward a safe organizational culture. This means that you:
- Organize informational sessions on social safety and sexual harassment so that employees become aware of boundaries and recognize unwanted behavior more quickly.
- Train managers to recognize power imbalances and inappropriate behavior so they can intervene in time.
- Advise HR and management on structural and preventive measures, such as improving procedures and strengthening social safety within teams.
- Actively encourage discussion about ethics and the “grey areas” within the organizational culture to create an atmosphere where difficult topics can be discussed.
Increasing openness: creating a culture of safety
Making sexual harassment and other forms of inappropriate behavior discussable is essential to prevent recurrence and escalation. As a confidential advisor, you ensure that employees know they can always come to you in a way that suits them and where they feel safe. A proactive confidential advisor goes further by taking the lead in culture change. By taking preventive actions and proposing structural improvements, you contribute to an organization where respect, integrity, and social safety are the norm.
Your impact as a proactive confidential advisor
Through your efforts, you ensure that sexual harassment is not only addressed and managed but also prevented as much as possible. You contribute to a culture where respect and safety are central. By supporting employees, sharing signals, and actively promoting policy, you play a key role in creating a workplace where everyone feels safe and respected.
Confidentiality, empathy, and strategic insight are your most important tools in this role.