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| The Observer view on sexual harassment in Westminster | The Observer view on sexual harassment in Westminster |
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| It has taken less than a month for the assault and harassment scandal that has engulfed Hollywood to spread to Westminster. In the past few days, our political system has become paralysed by allegations of assault and harassment by male MPs. Instead of a sober, swift and professional response, we have witnessed the spectacle of political parties desperately scrabbling to produce an adequate reaction and ministers clumsily fighting for their political lives. | It has taken less than a month for the assault and harassment scandal that has engulfed Hollywood to spread to Westminster. In the past few days, our political system has become paralysed by allegations of assault and harassment by male MPs. Instead of a sober, swift and professional response, we have witnessed the spectacle of political parties desperately scrabbling to produce an adequate reaction and ministers clumsily fighting for their political lives. |
| There is a real risk the gravity of the crisis that has consumed Westminster is judged superficially by the number of political scalps it claims. In the wake of a sexual harassment scandal that has highlighted the abuses of power that can take place in the shadowy corridors of Westminster, this cannot be allowed to happen. | There is a real risk the gravity of the crisis that has consumed Westminster is judged superficially by the number of political scalps it claims. In the wake of a sexual harassment scandal that has highlighted the abuses of power that can take place in the shadowy corridors of Westminster, this cannot be allowed to happen. |
| As in Hollywood, our political parties have long operated along cultural norms that not only make the abuse of power possible, but, as the MP Anna Soubry argues, actually offer protection to abusers. Thanks to their contacts and influence, MPs and ministers can wield great influence over aspiring political careers. Each MP acts as their own employer, giving staff little access to independent guidance and support should they experience harassment. Such incidents are often treated as indiscretions to be reported to the whips’ office, to be hoarded as future leverage against rebellious MPs. In a world seen through the lens of tribal party allegiances, coming forward with a complaint is viewed as a sign of disloyalty. | As in Hollywood, our political parties have long operated along cultural norms that not only make the abuse of power possible, but, as the MP Anna Soubry argues, actually offer protection to abusers. Thanks to their contacts and influence, MPs and ministers can wield great influence over aspiring political careers. Each MP acts as their own employer, giving staff little access to independent guidance and support should they experience harassment. Such incidents are often treated as indiscretions to be reported to the whips’ office, to be hoarded as future leverage against rebellious MPs. In a world seen through the lens of tribal party allegiances, coming forward with a complaint is viewed as a sign of disloyalty. |
| Some have argued this scandal risks turning into a media “witch-hunt”. It is critical that due process is followed. But what has been exposed so starkly in the past week is that procedures have never existed in our political system to address allegations of sexual harassment and assault. Bex Bailey showed immense bravery in speaking out about how she was warned by a senior Labour party official that if she reported the rape she says she was subjected to two years earlier at a party event, it could damage her career. Another woman who says she was sexually assaulted by an MP last year has described how she and a senior colleague tried and failed to get parliamentary authorities to investigate, after the police said they were not able to because the alleged assault happened abroad. When she reported it to her party, it took no action at all. | Some have argued this scandal risks turning into a media “witch-hunt”. It is critical that due process is followed. But what has been exposed so starkly in the past week is that procedures have never existed in our political system to address allegations of sexual harassment and assault. Bex Bailey showed immense bravery in speaking out about how she was warned by a senior Labour party official that if she reported the rape she says she was subjected to two years earlier at a party event, it could damage her career. Another woman who says she was sexually assaulted by an MP last year has described how she and a senior colleague tried and failed to get parliamentary authorities to investigate, after the police said they were not able to because the alleged assault happened abroad. When she reported it to her party, it took no action at all. |
| The response of our political parties has been completely inadequate. The women who anonymously set up the website LabourToo have set out the standards that they believe parties need to meet: specialist and independent support for people coming forward to report abuse; an independent process that allow allegations to be investigated without prejudice and in confidence; and input from independent advisers into the internal party panels with decision-making power. | The response of our political parties has been completely inadequate. The women who anonymously set up the website LabourToo have set out the standards that they believe parties need to meet: specialist and independent support for people coming forward to report abuse; an independent process that allow allegations to be investigated without prejudice and in confidence; and input from independent advisers into the internal party panels with decision-making power. |
| Last week, Labour circulated an updated sexual harassment policy that fell well short of this standard, although the party at least made a welcome announcement that it will appoint independent specialists to support those coming forward. The Conservative party did not have a policy until it hastily published a code of conduct for elected and appointed officials on Friday. Like Labour’s policy, it lacks independence: any people coming forward to report harassment or assault must do so in the knowledge that any investigation into their complaint may be put in the hands of colleagues and acquaintances of their alleged harasser. | Last week, Labour circulated an updated sexual harassment policy that fell well short of this standard, although the party at least made a welcome announcement that it will appoint independent specialists to support those coming forward. The Conservative party did not have a policy until it hastily published a code of conduct for elected and appointed officials on Friday. Like Labour’s policy, it lacks independence: any people coming forward to report harassment or assault must do so in the knowledge that any investigation into their complaint may be put in the hands of colleagues and acquaintances of their alleged harasser. |
| And the response of some senior MPs has betrayed a lack of understanding. Gavin Williamson, the newly promoted defence secretary, said while still chief whip last week that all allegations of illegal allegations must be reported to the police straight away. But there are many good reasons why women do not want to report an assault to the police; it should almost always be up to the victim whether they choose to do so. Reporting to the police without consent would create another barrier to people coming forward. Soubry has also said she believes someone leaked Andrea Leadsom’s confidential complaint about Michael Fallon, opening her up to vicious attacks in some parts of the press. If true, this is toxic: it undermines any confidence in party procedures and will also act as a deterrence to reporting. | And the response of some senior MPs has betrayed a lack of understanding. Gavin Williamson, the newly promoted defence secretary, said while still chief whip last week that all allegations of illegal allegations must be reported to the police straight away. But there are many good reasons why women do not want to report an assault to the police; it should almost always be up to the victim whether they choose to do so. Reporting to the police without consent would create another barrier to people coming forward. Soubry has also said she believes someone leaked Andrea Leadsom’s confidential complaint about Michael Fallon, opening her up to vicious attacks in some parts of the press. If true, this is toxic: it undermines any confidence in party procedures and will also act as a deterrence to reporting. |
| Instituting better procedures is necessary but insufficient. Unless all of our political leaders are committed to reform, the processes will change, but the culture will not. Neither will forcing resignations achieve much by itself: people should be held to account for their behaviour, but there is a risk that Westminster’s obsession with runners and riders will deflect from the more fundamental question of how to bring about change. | Instituting better procedures is necessary but insufficient. Unless all of our political leaders are committed to reform, the processes will change, but the culture will not. Neither will forcing resignations achieve much by itself: people should be held to account for their behaviour, but there is a risk that Westminster’s obsession with runners and riders will deflect from the more fundamental question of how to bring about change. |
| Age-old, predictable arguments have been advanced in the past week that the real risk is in over- rather than underreaction. We are supposed to believe that boundaries have become so over-policed that men cannot engage in consensual flirting or harmless physical contact in the workplace. But there is a clear legal definition of harassment and it should not be difficult for men to avoid behaviour that is construed as such. There are also those who argue this crisis has unhelpfully conflated rape and serious sexual assault with low-level sexual harassment. It is so obvious that there is a spectrum of inappropriate sexual behaviour in the workplace, with rape at the far end, that it should not need spelling out. But low-level harassment is far from cost-free for those who suffer it. And allowing low-level inappropriate banter and advances to go unaddressed creates cultures that enable the more serious offending that would horrify those who think there’s no harm in the odd lewd comment. | Age-old, predictable arguments have been advanced in the past week that the real risk is in over- rather than underreaction. We are supposed to believe that boundaries have become so over-policed that men cannot engage in consensual flirting or harmless physical contact in the workplace. But there is a clear legal definition of harassment and it should not be difficult for men to avoid behaviour that is construed as such. There are also those who argue this crisis has unhelpfully conflated rape and serious sexual assault with low-level sexual harassment. It is so obvious that there is a spectrum of inappropriate sexual behaviour in the workplace, with rape at the far end, that it should not need spelling out. But low-level harassment is far from cost-free for those who suffer it. And allowing low-level inappropriate banter and advances to go unaddressed creates cultures that enable the more serious offending that would horrify those who think there’s no harm in the odd lewd comment. |
| This is a story only partly set in Westminster. The power dynamics that create the opportunity for assault and harassment replicate themselves in workplaces up and down the country. A survey for the Young Women’s Trust found one in eight large employers admits they are aware of sexual harassment that has gone unreported. More than half of women say they have experienced sexual harassment at work, rising to nearly two-thirds of women aged 18-24. Women who work in low-paid sectors characterised by insecure working patterns, such as hospitality and bar work, are particularly at risk. | This is a story only partly set in Westminster. The power dynamics that create the opportunity for assault and harassment replicate themselves in workplaces up and down the country. A survey for the Young Women’s Trust found one in eight large employers admits they are aware of sexual harassment that has gone unreported. More than half of women say they have experienced sexual harassment at work, rising to nearly two-thirds of women aged 18-24. Women who work in low-paid sectors characterised by insecure working patterns, such as hospitality and bar work, are particularly at risk. |
| Gendered patterns of harassment and abuse can set in from an early age, but schools are ill-equipped to deal with them. A Girlguiding UK survey suggests two in three girls aged 13-21 have experienced sexual harassment at school, a rise on four years ago. Yet the government has only just reluctantly made sex and relationship education compulsory in all schools. | Gendered patterns of harassment and abuse can set in from an early age, but schools are ill-equipped to deal with them. A Girlguiding UK survey suggests two in three girls aged 13-21 have experienced sexual harassment at school, a rise on four years ago. Yet the government has only just reluctantly made sex and relationship education compulsory in all schools. |
| The temptation in the wake of a scandal such as this is to make it primarily about toppling a few high-profile politicians. While individuals should be held accountable for any wrongdoing through due process, it cannot stop there. We need a deeper cultural change: that applies to society as much as it does to Westminster. | The temptation in the wake of a scandal such as this is to make it primarily about toppling a few high-profile politicians. While individuals should be held accountable for any wrongdoing through due process, it cannot stop there. We need a deeper cultural change: that applies to society as much as it does to Westminster. |
| The Observer is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper, founded in 1791. It is published by Guardian News & Media and is editorially independent. | The Observer is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper, founded in 1791. It is published by Guardian News & Media and is editorially independent. |
| Sexual harassment | Sexual harassment |
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