Embracing Restorative Approaches in the Wake of Workplace Sexual Harassment

Workplace sexual harassment is an insidious issue that affects countless individuals, particularly women and vulnerable workers, inflicting emotional and psychological harm and costing organizations immense amounts of time, energy, and resources. In 2023, a government survey found that one entire third of Canadian workers reported sexual harassment within the last two years. Despite decades of attempts to reform workplace environments, sexual harassment continues. 

We have learned in our work that organizations are distinctly ill-prepared to address this kind of harm. Unfortunately, organizations continue to take a “prove it or it didn’t happen” stance with those impacted which often escalates and entrenches the conflict. Sexual harassment is often subtle, and it’s rare that victims have clear cut evidence to point to. Further, in rare instances that folks can clearly demonstrate that the harm happened, organizations lean on punitive and adversarial measures that leave little or no space for the voice of the person impacted. This kind of response also removes any opportunity for the person who caused harm to take responsibility for the harm and make it right. It’s no wonder that this kind of violation is so seldom reported. 

Thankfully there is emerging recognition that restorative approaches can play a pivotal role in healing, restoring trust, and fostering a healthier work environment in the aftermath of sexual harassment. While this is not always the right approach, our community has a lot to learn about the power of starting with restorative conversations.There are many benefits to the implementation of restorative approaches following workplace sexual harassment. When the conditions are right, this process creates a compassionate and effective path to resolution.

In the broadest sense, restorative approaches focus on repairing the harm rather than solely punishing the person who caused it. Unlike traditional methods, people impacted by harm are centered in restorative work. They have a voice and a choice in what happens and our process responds and adapts to the specific people involved. While we all know that different people need different things, it’s remarkable how often one-size-fits-all processes continue to dominate our workplaces. Our process seeks to give all parties open, honest, and structured space to talk through their experiences so we can understand what happened, what people are thinking and feeling, how folks have been impacted, what people need, and what can be done to meet those needs so folks can move forward in a good way.

Importantly, restorative work in relation to sexual harassment requires the utmost care and consideration. We carefully and cautiously assess each situation to ensure that a restorative response is the right fit. Further, we are all trained in trauma-informed care to ensure that no further harm occurs. While it’s true that in restorative work we often facilitate open dialogue between parties, in cases of sexual harassment parties don’t always come together for a facilitated discussion. Each person is impacted by sexual harassment differently and we honour wherever people are in their journeys. 

We have seen a wide variety of outcomes in these cases. Sometimes we see updates in policies, formalized boundaries in terms of sharing space, written apologies and reflections, commitments to training, and even donations to sexual support organizations. The ultimate goal is to create an environment where both the person harmed and the person who caused harm can find healing, accountability, and ultimately, a path to reconciliation. The beauty is that everyone has the opportunity to move forward in positive ways. For victims, this process can restore a feeling of agency and power, and gives space for them to decide what happens and what is needed. For those who caused harm, this process offers folks a chance to learn and grow, to understand what needs to change, to demonstrate responsibility and accountability, and ultimately to move through feelings of shame into ones of restoration and repair. 

While restorative outcomes are not always possible, there is immense value in starting from a place of curiosity to see what restorative outcomes may be achievable. We are routinely surprised at the progress and resolutions we support.