Ways to help.

Many people want to help change their workplace culture and/or support someone who is being sexually harassed but just aren't sure what to do. Here are real, actionable ways to respond to sexual harassment and what you can do to prevent it.

If someone tells you they are being harassed

It is important to stay calm if a friend or coworker tells you they have been or are being sexually harassed. Listen to them and make sure that what you say doesn't sound like you're questioning the truth of what they're saying. Thank your coworker or friend for telling you and tell them you support them. Do your best not to ask too many questions, and don’t ask ‘why’ they did or did not do anything about the harassment – it’s never the survivors fault.
 
If you need help now, call 911. If you and your friend/coworker are in a safe place, you can call the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741 to talk to a trained person who can help you and connect your friend or coworker with more help. Maine's sexual assault support centers help people who have been sexually harassed and/or assaulted and they can help answer your questions and your friend/coworker's questions, too.

Know who to call.

If a coworker tells you they are being sexually harassed, knowing who can help them with emotional support, knowing their rights, and learning about what options they have is important. Maine's sexual assault support centers help people who have been sexually harassed and/or assaulted. Click here to contact an advocate or call 1-800-871-7741.

---

Actual things you can say

We have all had a time when we wish we had said (or didn't say) something. If a friend or coworker tells you that they are being sexually harassed, you may have a minute where you're not sure what to say. Here are some things that might be helpful either in the moment or later. Of course, these are just suggestions!

     "Thank you for trusting me. I am really glad you told me."
     "None of this is your fault."
     "You deserve to be treated with respect."
     "I'm here if you ever need me and/or want to talk. Please let me know."
     "I am so sorry you are going through/you've been through this."
     "What do you need right now?"
     "What can I do to help?"
     "Do you know about advocates who can help? I know how to get in touch with them."
     "I want you to be safe. What can we do to help you feel safer today?"
     "Can I help you make a plan to take care of yourself today?"

Remember: your friend or coworker might just need you to listen and that's okay!

---

Ways you can change the culture at work

There are a lot of different ways to help change the culture at work - even if it seems like things are pretty good now. They might not be for everyone, and making sure the workplace is safe for all of your coworkers means that everyone has a role to play. Here are some things you can do!

Make a decision to actively respond to what you hear. Hold your coworkers accountable. Hear a sexist joke? “I don’t think that is very funny.” See a coworker being harassed (either to their face or behind their back)? Step in and say something like "That's not okay" or "Hey - heard that! Can we not talk/act like that?" You begin to shift the culture by modeling that sexist and rape jokes/behavior aren’t funny, and won’t be tolerated.
 
Identify allies at work: Who else wants things to change? What do you want to change? Who will listen?

Contact local agencies doing work around social justice - like your local sexual assault support center (who also support victims of sexual harassment and provide sexual harassment training), Maine Youth Action Network, Maine TransNet, EqualityMaine, the Wabanaki Women's Coalition, or the Immigrant Resource Center of Maine. ​

Help your coworker find legal advice.

Unsure who to turn to for legal advice? Wondering if you are eligible for pro bono representation? ​​If you want to talk to a lawyer, you have a few options. 

​The Maine Human Rights Commission has a list of lawyers who handle cases at the Commission. You can find it here.

You can also call the Maine Bar Association and ask for an employment lawyer.

Pine Tree Legal Assistance may be able to help with certain types of cases. Advocates can help you figure out if Pine Tree can help, and can make a referral to them.

Write down harassment or other behaviors you witness—this could help to hold someone accountable later.
 
Offer support to individuals being harassed. Believe your coworkers when they say someone has harassed them.
 
Hang information about contacting an advocate in your office bathroom. Make sure proper signage from the Maine Human Rights Commission is hanging and visible (this is required by law!).
 
Ask your boss or human resources what is being done to support survivors or what is in place to help someone who reports sexual harassment
 
Hang up a sign or ribbon at your desk/office door/locker/workspace that would show people you’re a safe person to talk to about these things.