When it comes to workplace sexual harassment, complainants in British Columbia need greater access to legal support and more informational resources. Employers and employees need to increase their knowledge, skill, and confidence levels in handling this complex issue.
That’s why EVA BC has launched an exciting public legal education project that will help small business, non-profits, Indigenous communities, and youth-focused legal assistance centres boost their ability to prevent and respond to workplace sexual harassment issues.
EVA BC is co-leading the five-year project SHARP Workplaces (Sexual Harassment Advice, Response, and Prevention for Workplaces) with Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS). This includes two program streams: Public Legal Education and Information (PLEI) provided by EVA BC and free legal advice offered by CLAS.
“SHARP Workplaces will empower workers and promote workplace culture change by creating trauma-informed, accessible, public legal education materials related to workplace sexual harassment,” says EVA BC Program Manager Liza Hughes.
SHARP Workplaces to have broad reach
Here’s just some of what this collaborative project, funded by the Department of Justice, will offer the public across the province:
- Training and accessible guidelines to increase employer and employee awareness of their rights and responsibilities related to workplace sexual harassment
- A CLAS-run legal clinic that will provide up to 5 hours of free legal advice and services to complainants of workplace sexual harassment
- Development of referral networks among service providers
- Response protocols and best practices for handling disclosures in the workplace
- Trauma-informed investigations and reporting processes
- Prevention of workplace sexual harassment
- Policy templates
- PLEI materials.
Sensitive to regional concerns and responsiveness, SHARP Workplaces is contracting with lawyers who will offer local legal advice and services throughout the province.
Starting Nov. 1, 2021, the public will be able to access legal education materials, such as videos, handouts, and adaptable policy templates, on a new 24/7, online hub.
A commitment to reach the underserved
EVA BC recognizes how important it is that SHARP Workplaces reaches underserved and disadvantaged populations, including but not limited to the following:
- Indigenous persons
- Two Spirit, non-binary and LGBTQ+ persons
- non-status, immigrant, or refugee workers
- racialized persons
- persons with disabilities
- women
- seasonal and temporary workers
- rural or remote populations.
For more info: hughes@endingviolence.org (Liza Hughes, Program Manager)
For training info: education@endingviolence.org (Nour Kachouh, Training Manager)
