Photo courtesy of Workers' Resource Centre

By Jayson Taylor

Here For Help launched to help minimize workplace sexual harassment

Jun 8, 2023 | 4:15 PM

A recent survey conducted in Alberta has revealed some unnerving statistics. Just under half of Albertans surveyed stated that they experienced sexual harassment at the workplace. Sixty-one per cent of those surveyed said they witnessed sexual harassment and only one in 10 incidents were reported to authority figures.

Carolyn Krahn, executive director of the Workers’ Resource Centre in Alberta, says that the low numbers are due to hesitation from workers out of fear of losing their jobs.

“The one reason that we often get from clients is just that they fear their job may be in jeopardy if they report it,” Krahn said on Thursday.

The Workers’ Resource Centre wanted to address the problem of workplace sexual harassment. Their idea was launched recently. The website, Here For Help, was created to ensure Albertans had the proper access to resources and support in dealing with experiences with sexual harassment.

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“Here For Help is a collaborative resource with a number of different sexual harassment serving agencies that have banded together around the central concept of sexual harassment. When you enter the site, you have the option to take a guided pathway tour which will ask you a series of questions and then will auto-populate you to the correct agencies,” Krahn added.

Krahn says that it is critical to have those who are experiencing or witnessing sexual harassment speak out immediately so that future incidents can be prevented.

The survey also notes that women (46%) and younger Albertans (56%) are the most likely to experience workplace sexual harassment. Sexual harassment takes many different forms.

Krahn says that by bridging the gap of accessibility, the website empowers Albertans to seek the help they need, regardless of where in the province they may be.