It could be an offensive joke by a manager, or an unwanted embrace by a colleague. It could be a patient’s hand on your leg, a string of invasive questions about your private life, oversharing of someone’s sexual life, or persistent requests for a date by someone who won’t take no for an answer.

No matter what form it takes, sexual harassment in the workplace is very serious – and, sadly, surprisingly common. It can be hard to gauge its prevalence, largely because most harassment goes unreported. However, a recent survey found that 29% of those in employment had experienced some form of workplace sexual harassment over the past 12 months (Government Equalities Office, 2020). Women, younger people, those from minority ethnic backgrounds and LGBTQ+ people were most at risk – although sexual harassment can happen regardless of sexual and/or gender orientation.