International studies and surveys reveal that sexual harassment has a European and global dimension. Even-though EU member states as well as public and private organizations and trade unions have established policies and procedures to deal with the issue, yet implementation of policy and mechanisms to effectively tackle sexual harassment at the work or the nature and frequency of incidents vary from country to country. The partner organizations have recognized the need to formulate a comprehensive intervention strategy and a training programme that effectively address issues relating to sexual harassment. Specific project objectives are to: • Create field-tested European Toolkits, Guides and Instruments to effectively implement intervention measures in preventing and handling sexual harassment in the world of work • Develop educational material/curricula and train key people from participating organizations that will become trainers for their own organizations. Include on-line training materials to facilitate e-learning • Establish a project website to become a facility for dissemination of project activities, best practice and results. • Host Multiplier events to present Intellectual Outputs and results to selected stakeholgers Activities to be undertaken include: • A research based activity to develop a comprehensive Toolkit for prevention and handing sexual harassment. • Develop educational/training tools and material that will be based on the intervention strategy to organize face to face training and e-learning • Organize training courses for training of trainers from partner organizations. Approximately 24 individuals from partner organization will participate in the training courses. • Establish a web portal with a view to become a facility for e-learning through a state of the art structured educational resource. • Invite stakeholders that have an interest in the subject, to multiplier events with a view to encourage utilization and mainstreaming of Outputs. • Develop a Risk Assessment instrument measuring the incidence and prevalence of sexual harassment at the workplace • Collate project experience in a scientific policy paper The methodological choices of the partnership reflect the project’s multidimensional character and its innovation seeking component, particularly: a) intervention methodologies and pedagogical tools will be the result of joint work carried out by the partnership, during the first year of the project b) what will be designed in theory, will then be tested in the field by all partners, so that it can be evaluated, improved, and transferred to stakeholders outside the partnership, c) project methodology is designed to effectively bring into fruition project aims and objectives and address the ERASMUS+ priorities chosen. Results envisaged by project implementation include: • Field tested intervention strategy model to guide HR managers, Gender equality and relevant professionals, in implementing policy for combating sexual harassment in the work place. • Educational curricula suitable for each partner region to train key personnel of partner organization and stakeholders in the subject. • Trained key staff members from participating organizations will provide continuous follow-up in implementing policy, rules of conduct and codes regarding sexual harassment within their organization. • Intellectual Outputs and results mainstreamed at national and EU level. • Synergies and collaboration developed between partners and stakeholders to further pursue future action in the field. The project implementation is expected to positively impact HR Managers, Gender Equality Officers and Employers that seek to create a harassment free work environment. It will also impact Policy makers, national and EU institutions.
The ASTRAPI project objectives include: - the development of a European Toolkit to prevent and combat sexual harassment that takes into consideration existing practices at the local level, and that thoroughly addresses the fundamentals of how to prevent unacceptable behaviour, provide a detailed overview of what sexual harassment is, explain legal definitions, discuss sexual harassment prevention, and show how to handle sexual harassment complaints. - the development of educational material/curricula to train key people from participating organizations e.g. HR managers, Gender equality consultants, Equality Training Officers, Adult Educators, researchers and trade union representatives, that will become trainers for their own organizations. - the establishment of a web portal to become a facility for e-learning - organizing local Multiplier events to present the Intellectual Outputs and best practice to prevent, and handle sexual harassment incidents to selected target groups i.e. trade unions, employer organizations, gender equality officers from private sector and local and regional authorities, civil society organizations etc. - the development of an Assessment Instrument measuring the risks manifested during the appearance and the progression of sexual harassment incidents at the workplace - the development a Policy Paper from project experience that can be useful to project partners as well as a wide range of stakeholders and policy makers. The target groups that were directly involved in the project included: Human Resource Managers, Gender Equality Officers and Trainers, occupational safety and health committee members, and trade union negotiators/workplace representatives from partner organisations. The aim was to enable and maintain a positive work environment space for all.
Sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are not only illegal; they can be symptoms of a much larger problem - lack of respect in the workplace. Workplace harassment is gaining attention these days, both from employers and from the courts. Unwelcome attention that is sexual in nature can lead to a hostile workplace that is both unproductive and unfair to employees who are trying to do their jobs. Sexual violence and harassment contradict the principle of gender equality and equal treatment. They constitute gender-based discrimination in employment. Cases of sexual harassment, while significantly under-reported, are a matter of health, safety and well-being in the workplace and need to be responded to effectively and in accordance with existing laws. EU member states as well as many public organizations private enterprises and trade unions have established policies and procedures to deal with sexual harassment and have assigned personnel to deal directly with the issue, yet implementation of policy and mechanisms to effectively tackle sexual harassment at the work place or the nature and frequency of incidents vary from country to country and present shortcomings in their effectiveness. The project aimed to develop comprehensive tools, strategies, and a training programme to build self- awareness regarding prevention of sexual harassment at the workplace, but also transfer necessary skills, procedures and methodologies to address reporting and handling sexual harassment issues and complaints through a holistic intervention strategy. Public bodies, trade unions and the wider private sector need to create a respectful work environment their employees deserve, and the law demands.