Training on the Education and Prevention of Sexual Harassment

Training on the Education and Prevention of Sexual Harassment

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Training on the Education and Prevention of Sexual Harassment

The target audience is the entire military personnel. Sexual harassment can either be a verbal or physical conduct. Anyone in the military can be sexually harassed/assaulted, it is not limited to women only. There are several techniques of overcoming sexual harassment in the work place such as creation and implementation of sexual harassment policy, training of military personnel, responding to complaints raised, and taking appropriate action to punish offenders. Sexual harassment has a negatively impacts service delivery.

Sexual harassment policy should be incorporated into the military’s rules and regulations. The policy may be outlined in the employee handbook or posted in strategic locations where servicemen can review it frequently, for instance the break room. The policy should include a statement that the military is a harassment and discrimination-free, zero-tolerance institution. All the servicemen must abide by the set rules. It is also important to state that no one will be victimized for reporting a claim.

The policy may include the definition of sexual harassment policy; Inclusion of the definition assist the servicemen to understand what sexual harassment is all about. Since the servicemen know what constitute sexual assault, they can identify and report such claim to the appropriate authority. For instance, unwelcome sexual requests or advances. It becomes sexual harassment when the conduct creates an abusive, hostile or intimidating work environment, or irrationally affects the victim’s ability to perform his/her duties diligently.

The military must act swiftly to address and take appropriate action whenever sexual harassment complaints are reported. When immediate action is taken to investigate a claim, it shows the military personnel that sexual harassment will be dealt with and has dire consequences. Another way of overcoming sexual assault is to eliminate instances of retaliation by the person who committed the offence. Majority of sexual assault victims are cautious of registering a complaint because they are afraid of being retaliated against.

It is important to educate the military personnel that victimizing an individual for reporting a claim is a serious offence that exposes the institution to liability. The military should conduct training sessions to educate its personnel about sexual harassment policy, and review their complaint procedures. Everyone should participate in the training, from the new recruits to the senior most official. If possible, senior officers should conduct their own separate sessions to learn how to address complaints and the appropriate actions to be taken.

References

Dromm, K. (2012). Sexual Harassment: An Introduction to the Conceptual and Ethical Issues. Broadview Press.

England., D. C. (September 2015). The Essential Guide to Handling Workplace Harassment & Discrimination. (3rd edition ed.). Nolo.

MacKinnon, C. A., & Siegel, R. B. (2004). Directions in Sexual Harassment Law. New Haven, Conn.: Yale Univ. Press.