RainLily Launches "Sexual Harassment has No Place Here" Campaign
RainLily Releases Workplace Sexual Harassment Figures, Launches "Sexual Harassment has No Place Here" Campaign
RainLily, a support organisation for victim-survivors of sexual violence, has today released data and analysis on workplace sexual harassment. In collaboration with the "SH.E Sexual Harassment Advocacy Group," RainLily is launching the "Sexual Harassment has No Place Here" campaign, to promote public awareness on the issue.
Nearly Half of Workplace Cases Handled by RainLily are of Non-Contact Nature,
Impact Shouldn't be Dismissed
RainLily's case follow-up over the past five years reveals a concerning increase in workplace sexual violence incidents. Cases where the perpetrator and victim-survivor shared a "work relationship" (e.g., supervisor, colleague, subordinate) rose by approximately 70%, from 196 cases (2014-2018) to 340 cases (2019-2023). Similarly, incidents occurring in "workplace" saw an approximate 80% increase, from 120 cases (2014-2018) to 214 cases (2019-2023).
Significantly, approximately 45% of these workplace sexual violence cases involved non-contact forms of sexual harassment. The definition of sexual harassment under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance is not limited to verbal abuse or physical contact; any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment. Under the Ordinance, employers are obligated to establish relevant internal policies to prevent sexual harassment and properly handle complaints. Failure to do so renders employers vicariously liable for sexual harassment committed by their employees during the course of their employment.
New Booklet on Responding to Sexual Harassment and Promotional Materials Launched
Sexual harassment is often trivialised as minor, yet its reality constantly impacts victim-survivors and the workspace. To enhance workplace awareness, RainLily, in partnership with the "SH.E Sexual Harassment Advocacy Group" – comprised of volunteers and service users who have experienced sexual harassment – has launched a series of resources. These include a "Responding to Sexual Harassment Booklet" and a range of promotional items designed by group members.
The "Sexual Harassment has No Place Here" (性騷擾退散) campaign draws inspiration from traditional paper talismans," to highlight various types of sexual harassment behaviour, such as "lewd jokes," "leering gazes," and "persistent pursuit." The campaign seeks to lower the barrier to discussing sexual harassment while clearly articulating which behaviours can, in fact, hinder others' right to safely and equally share a workspace, thus constituting sexual harassment. By doing so, the campaign aims to boost public awareness of anti-sexual harassment efforts and collectively foster a safer, more respectful workplace culture.
Currently, organisations including the Hong Kong Christian Council, Operation Santa Claus, Onebookhalf Gender Space, The Hive Hong Kong, and Meta Hong Kong have become early supporters of the campaign, displaying posters in their offices to demonstrate their commitment to creating a safe working environment.
Victim-Survivor: "Sexual Harassment Incidents Are Not Insignificant, Nor Can They Be Dismissed Lightly"
Kate, a member of the SH.E Sexual Harassment Advocacy Group, shared: "When I told people around me about my sexual harassment experience, they dismissed my pain and distress as 'minor.' They would always say, 'Are you overthinking it?', 'They were just joking,' 'That's just how the workplace is,' or 'Try to see the brighter side.' But I knew very well it wasn't minor, because it severely impacted my emotions, my life, and my ability to work. Later, when I saw a psychiatrist, I discovered I was suffering from depression. I sincerely hope that by joining this group, I can raise more awareness about sexual harassment and prevent anyone else from experiencing the same harm I did. Sexual harassment incidents are not insignificant, nor can they be dismissed lightly."
Florence Tsang, Service Manager at RainLily, stated: "RainLily is committed to providing support to victim-survivors of sexual violence. Our collaboration with the "SH.E Sexual Harassment Advocacy Group", comprised of volunteers and survivors, transforms past experiences into proactive advocacy. Together, we have launched a booklet and publicity materials. These not only express disgust and resistance towards sexual harassment with humour, but also incorporate empathy and practicality from a victim-survivor's perspective, concretising ambiguous and abstract sexual harassment behaviours. Through promotional items, we aim to 'ward off' these inappropriate behaviours and clearly define behavioural boundaries. We urge employers to acknowledge their responsibilities and actively participate in this campaign, to spark conversations in offices and different spaces, as we work together to build a truly zero-tolerance workplace culture for sexual harassment."
Thank you the following organisations for becoming our early supporters of the campaign, displaying posters in their offices to demonstrate their commitment to creating a safe working environment:
Hong Kong Christian Council, Operation Santa Claus, Onebookhalf Gender Space, The Hive Hong Kong, and Meta Hong Kong
Related Resources
What is sexual harassment? What can I do? What service can RainLily provide?