Sexual Harassment Policy
HRE4U CIC is committed to providing safe, respectful, and welcoming spaces for everyone. Sexual harassment is not tolerated in any form.
This policy sets out our expectations of behaviour, how concerns can be raised, and how HRE4U will respond.
Who This Policy Applies To
This policy applies to everyone involved with HRE4U, including:
- staff (current or future)
- volunteers
- people accessing support
- visitors
- contractors, partners, or anyone present in HRE4U spaces or online
What We Mean by Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature that makes someone feel uncomfortable, intimidated, degraded, humiliated, or unsafe.
It can include, but is not limited to:
- unwanted sexual comments, jokes, or remarks
- inappropriate staring or gestures
- sexualised comments about someone’s body or appearance
- unwanted physical contact
- sexual advances or pressure
- sharing sexual images or messages without consent
Sexual harassment can be a one-off incident or repeated behaviour. It may occur in person or online.
Zero Tolerance
HRE4U operates a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment.
Behaviour that breaches this policy may result in immediate action, including being asked to leave HRE4U spaces, removal from volunteering roles, or escalation to external authorities where appropriate.
Reporting Sexual Harassment
Anyone who experiences or witnesses sexual harassment is encouraged to report it.
Reports can be made in any of the following ways:
- speaking directly to the Safeguarding Lead or Deputy
- contacting HRE4U by email
- using the website or chat function
- reporting directly to an external body if internal reporting does not feel safe
Reports will be taken seriously and handled with care, discretion, and respect.
Our Response
HRE4U will respond promptly and proportionately to any report of sexual harassment.
Where appropriate, concerns may be treated as safeguarding issues, particularly where there is vulnerability, coercion, risk of harm, or abuse of power.
If someone is at immediate risk, emergency services or relevant statutory bodies may be contacted.
No Retaliation
No one will be treated unfairly or punished for raising a genuine concern about sexual harassment.
Retaliation, intimidation, or attempts to silence someone who raises a concern are not tolerated.
Links to Safeguarding
Sexual harassment may overlap with safeguarding concerns. Where this happens, HRE4U’s safeguarding procedures will be followed.
This policy sits alongside our Safeguarding Policy, Privacy Policy, and Volunteer Code of Conduct.
Policy Review
This policy is reviewed regularly and updated as HRE4U grows or if guidance changes.