Nominees for Sexual Harassment Tribunal to Be Taken to Cabinet February 12

The final fit and proper report from the Ministry of National Security on the nominees for the Sexual Harassment Tribunal has been received and will be taken to the Cabinet on Monday (February 12) for consideration and approval.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, made the disclosure during a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday (February 6).

In keeping with the provisions of the Sexual Harassment (Protection and Prevention) Act, the Minister consulted with the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Labour and Social Security on the nominees to the Tribunal.

“[The Ministry] has been taking the necessary steps to ensure that all proposed members meet the fit and proper eligibility requirements specified in the Act. It has been a necessarily detailed and carefully executed process of evaluation of the proposed members,” Ms. Grange said.

“We have also begun the process for recruiting the Secretary for the Tribunal. Already, we have fully staffed the Sexual Harassment Investigation Unit which will give support to the operation of the Tribunal. The Unit now has a Senior Sexual Harassment Investigative Officer and three Sexual Harassment Investigative Officers,” she added.

Additionally, the Bureau of Gender Affairs continues its public education programme.

To date, the Bureau has conducted more than 770 sensitisation sessions on sexual harassment at more than 700 workplaces and institutions, reaching more than 33,000 people.

Ms. Grange said the Bureau has also been assisting workplaces and institutions to develop and or review their policies to ensure they are effective and offer the best protection to persons affected by sexual harassment.

“I have often said and reiterate that sexual harassment is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly. It has harmful effects on all its victims, be they women or men. Sadly, sexual harassment has been a feature of interactions in workplaces and institutions. The tentacles of sexual harassment reach deep for those who have suffered at its hands. Often, their complaints have been dismissed or never entertained,” she noted.

“This law changes all of that. The Sexual Harassment (Protection and Prevention) Act protects all women and men from unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favours and crude sexual behaviours that affect quality of life by creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment,” Ms. Grange added.

The law also provides relief for victims, punishment for perpetrators, and a deterrent to sexual harassment.

“Getting this legislation operational is a triumph for all the people of Jamaica,” Ms. Grange said.