Union launches campaign against sexual harassment in hospitality

The Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) has launched a campaign against sexual harassment in the fast food and hospitality industries.

The union has joined forces with Women Against Rape to launch the campaign. The charity said: "Sexual violence in the hospitality industry is much more common than we all think. We don't exactly know how common because most people don't tell anyone. Abusers count on the victim being afraid to report it, scared that she may lose her job if she is not believed, or even if she is."

BFAW hopes the campaign will encourage victims of sexual violence to report abuse. The two groups have said those in low-paying roles, on zero-hour contracts or with insecure immigration status may be particularly vulnerable and fear coming forward.

Woman Against Rape added: "Things are changing. Decades of campaigning by organisations like ours, individual women and other survivors who fought back, and the advent of social media have enabled global movements like #MeToo. This has encouraged workers in the hospitality industry to come forward.

"But it is hard to speak out if you don't know your rights and you don't know if your union is going to back you or you don't have a union. The BFAWU has come to Women Against Rape because it wants to ensure that workers can report any abuse, win justice and stop any further violence. We are very glad about that and want to support in every way we can."

More details of the campaign, and advice on how to report an incident, can be found here.

Men behaving badly: how to protect your staff from harassment>>

Get The Caterer every week on your smartphone, tablet, or even in good old-fashioned hard copy (or all three!).