A London-based charity has launched a new workplace training programme in response to what campaigners are calling a “silent crisis” of sexual harassment across UK workplaces.
New data from the UK Government Equalities Office reveals that nearly 3 out of 10 employees experienced sexual harassment at work in the past year, yet just 15% reported it. The figures expose a widespread but largely hidden issue, with the vast majority of incidents going unchallenged.
The impact is even more severe for women and younger workers. Research from the Trades Union Congress shows that over half of women have experienced workplace sexual harassment, rising to almost two-thirds among young women. Despite this, around 80% of victims never report their experiences, often due to fear of retaliation, stigma, or lack of trust in workplace systems.
In response, SHEWISE – a charity dedicated to supporting Global Majority women – has launched a new workshop, Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, aimed at closing the gap between policy and practice.
The initiative comes at a critical time, as employers face growing legal and moral pressure to take proactive steps to prevent harassment rather than simply respond to complaints.
Unlike traditional compliance-based training, SHEWISE’s two-hour workshop is designed to tackle the root causes of underreporting and workplace culture. It equips senior leaders, HR professionals, and managers with practical tools to identify risks early, respond to disclosures sensitively, and build environments where staff feel safe to speak up.
Sayeeda Ashraf, CEO of SHEWISE, commented, “Sexual harassment at work is not a rare occurrence – it’s a systemic issue that too often goes unspoken and unaddressed. For many, the workplace feels unsafe, yet reporting mechanisms fail them.
We launched this training because organisations need more than policies – they need confidence, clarity, and practical tools to prevent harm before it happens. Creating safe workplaces isn’t optional; it’s a responsibility. Everyone deserves dignity and respect at work.”
The workshop places a particular focus on the experiences of Global Majority women, who can face compounded barriers to reporting and accessing support.
The training is open to a wide range of organisations, including charities, educational institutions, housing providers, public sector bodies, faith groups, and community organisations.
As scrutiny grows on how employers handle workplace misconduct, SHEWISE hopes the programme will drive a shift from reactive responses to meaningful prevention – helping organisations move beyond compliance and towards lasting cultural change.
For more information or to book a session, visit: www.shewise.org.uk